After completing a deployment of over four months in the Middle East, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-22 stealth fighter detachment has returned to its home bases in Alaska. The deployment of these fifth-generation fighter aircraft in the U.S. Central Command’s (CENTCOM) area of responsibility aimed to bolster military presence and deterrence capabilities in the volatile regional environment, where Iran had vowed retaliatory attacks against Israel.
According to the Department of Defense, the F-22s arrived in the Middle East on August 8 in record time. The defense agency detailed that the stealth fighters’ deployment to CENTCOM’s operational area was completed within 72 hours, showcasing rapid readiness of both aircraft and pilots, who departed from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.
Upon arrival in the operational zone, the dozen F-22s joined other assets engaged in deterrence missions, such as F-16 fighters and A-10 attack aircraft, as well as naval assets deployed from aircraft carriers, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets and E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes.
Among the tasks carried out by the USAF stealth aircraft were “…a series of high-priority missions, including countermeasure operations against unmanned aerial systems and cruise missile defense patrols, covering five operational locations throughout the theater. These efforts provided a significant element of strategic deterrence against potential escalations by Iran in the region.”
Additionally, “the squadron demonstrated Agile Combat Employment tactics, rapidly deploying a small contingent of F-22s with minimal personnel and equipment support to key partner nations in the region. This approach showcased coalition unity and highlighted the U.S. Air Force’s ability to deliver flexible and rapid-response options in dynamic environments,” the statement added.
Finally, the F-22s were not the only aircraft concluding their deployment in the Middle East. It was confirmed that 12 F-15E Strike Eagles from the 492nd Fighter Squadron, part of the 48th Fighter Wing, also returned to their home base at RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom. Their operations in the region began on November 7.
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