A year after the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel, the United States continues to maintain and strengthen its military presence in the Middle East by sending various air, naval, and ground forces. In this regard, the recent arrival of additional F-15E Strike Eagle fighters from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) adds to the presence of other American aircraft, including F-22 Raptors and A-10 attack planes, alongside the USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike groups.
The F-15Es arrived amid high tensions in the Middle East as Israel prepares for possible attacks on military, non-nuclear targets in Iran in response to the massive offensive of October 1. This comes after the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, the Hezbollah leader in Lebanon, prompting the U.S. to increase its presence in the region to prevent an escalation of the conflict. In recent hours, Israel has intensified bombings in southern Lebanon and Gaza in what has become the largest offensive against Hezbollah to date.
To support this, the Pentagon ordered the deployment of three additional USAF fighter and attack aircraft squadrons to the region, which include F-15Es, F-16s, and A-10s. It is unclear if all F-15Es have already arrived in the Middle East, as fighter squadrons do not typically land at their forward operating base simultaneously.
The U.S. also plans to expand the current aircraft units in the Middle East to increase the total number of fighter and attack planes in the region, doubling the presence of fourth-generation aircraft.
It is worth noting that the F-15Es of the 335th Fighter Squadron from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina were first deployed to the region in April of this year. After their arrival, these aircraft, along with USAF F-16s and coalition aircraft from Guardians of Prosperity, helped shoot down 80 Iranian drones during a previous Iranian attack on Israel on April 13.
In addition to land-based air power, the U.S. maintains the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group, which carries F-35C Lightning II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters, in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the USS Wasp, an amphibious assault ship carrying AV-8 Harrier strike fighters, V-22 Osprey aircraft, and personnel from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is also present.
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