Since March 29, the U.S. Air Force has bolstered its presence in the Middle East by sending additional A-10 Thunderbolt II attack aircraft, which belong to the 124th Fighter Wing. This contingent includes approximately 300 personnel from the unit, who will operate under the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) amid an increasingly tense regional environment.
Addressing the deployment, Major General Tim Donnellan, currently serving as commander of the Idaho National Guard, stated: “Discipline, preparedness and perseverance underpin the lethality these warriors bring to the war fight. Readiness and relevance are our strengths, whether performing our state mission here at home or our federal mission abroad. The 124th has a legacy of service to our state and nation, and this mission further cements our commitment to protecting the United States of America and securing our interests around the globe.”
It is worth noting that the 124th Fighter Wing has been deployed multiple times in support of U.S. operations in the Middle East. Its history includes participation in Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Southern Watch. Additionally, in 2016, the unit joined coalition forces in Operation Inherent Resolve, led by the U.S. against ISIS in Iraq, Syria, and Libya. In 2020, it was sent to the region as part of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, the final phase of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan before the 2021 withdrawal.
As previously mentioned, the arrival of A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft in the Middle East coincides with heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran. This is primarily due to Iran’s reluctance to negotiate a new nuclear agreement that would prevent it from developing such weapons, prompting threats from Washington, including military and economic consequences. President Donald Trump recently reaffirmed this stance in an interview with NBC News, stating: “If they don’t make a deal, there will be bombing. But I could also impose tariffs like I did four years ago.”
Given this context, the U.S. Air Force has not only increased its footprint in the Middle East with the A-10s but has also positioned B-2 bombers at Diego Garcia Air Base, from where they could launch strikes on Iranian targets without difficulty. As reported last week, multiple open-source intelligence (OSINT) sources confirmed the presence of these bombers on the island through satellite imagery, with some visibly stationed on the runway.
Lastly, attention must also be given to the Houthi rebels, who continue to launch attacks from Yemen against maritime traffic linked to Israel and military forces deployed to protect it. U.S. bombers stationed in Diego Garcia would also be within range to conduct airstrikes on Houthi targets. Additionally, naval assets—including the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman—have been deployed to maintain pressure on the group.
Illustrative images used.
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