(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States Air Force (USAF) has deployed 12 of its stealth F-22 “Raptor” fighter jets to the Middle East as part of efforts to bolster its combat capabilities against potential threats to Israel from Iran.
These F-22 “Raptor” fifth-generation fighter jets reportedly landed at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. air base in the Middle East, housing over 10,000 U.S. military personnel and various combat aircraft.
The stealth fighters made a long-range flight from their base at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, landing at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Base in Lakenheath on August 6th.
Departing from Lakenheath, the F-22s, accompanied by tanker aircraft, continued their flight to the Middle East, ultimately landing at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
(VIDEO BELOW) The USAF F-22 “Raptor” fighter jets were captured landing at RAF Lakenheath, England.
The deployment of the USAF stealth fighters follows the Department of Defense’s confirmation that it would send additional fighter squadrons to the Middle East after President Joe Biden announced plans to “reinforce its military strength” in the volatile region.
The U.S. military buildup in the Middle East comes in response to threats from Iran to launch a large-scale retaliatory attack on Israel after Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran recently.
The F-22 fighter jets, designed for air dominance, have a very low Radar Cross Section (RCS) and can carry up to six long-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and two short-range air-to-air missiles, AIM-9 Sidewinder.
Additionally, they are equipped with an M61A2 20mm Gatling gun and 480 rounds of ammunition.
Recently, the U.S. also reportedly deployed 12 warships to the Middle East, as confirmed by Defense Department officials to the Washington Post.
The group of U.S. warships includes the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, comprising three amphibious ships carrying over 4,000 Marines.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt is operating in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, escorted by six Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) and USS Laboon (DDG-58).
Four other Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the USS Russell (DDG-59), USS Cole (DDG-67), USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), and USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118).
The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group includes the USS Wasp (LHD-1), USS New York (LPD-21), USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), and 2,500 Marines from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The group also comprises the USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) and USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), currently in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group is presently sailing in the Mediterranean Sea, not far from Israeli waters.
The USS Theodore Roosevelt and the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group carry hundreds of fighter jets, which the U.S. will undoubtedly use to defend Israel against missile and drone attacks from Iran or its proxies in the Middle East. — DSA