Following the successful operation that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the U.S. Armed Forces continue to maintain a significant deployment of air assets at the airport in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. This was confirmed during our visit yesterday, after touring the surroundings of José Aponte de la Torre Airport, the location where the vast majority of U.S. combat aircraft and helicopters on the island are currently based.
The images captured on our first day of coverage show that the stealth F-22A Raptor fighters have already completed their redeployment back to their home base, while a substantial number of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II multirole fighters remain deployed, both from the U.S. Air National Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps.
On one of the platforms at José Aponte de la Torre Airport, around twenty F-35A and F-35B aircraft can be counted, along with the presence of AV-8B Harrier II+ aircraft belonging to the U.S. Marines. These vertical/short takeoff and landing attack aircraft are part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, more specifically the VMM-263 (Reinforced) squadron, which until a few days ago was embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7).
Ceiba Airport also hosts an expeditionary detachment of EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft from the U.S. Navy. These aircraft, specialized in radar jamming and electronic warfare, are believed to have played a more than relevant role in suppressing Venezuelan air defenses. The Growlers deployed in Puerto Rico belong to Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-132 “Scorpions”.
The U.S. Air Force is also present at Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, with at least four HH-60W Jolly Green II CSAR/SAR helicopters from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, as well as two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft for special operations support from the 71st Rescue Squadron. Meanwhile, the Marines also operate at least two KC-130J Hercules aircraft from squadron VMGR-252.
Ceiba additionally hosts the rotary-wing assets of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, including AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters, both models also assigned to VMM-263 (Reinforced).
Taken together, the concentration of these assets in Ceiba is no coincidence. The combination of fifth-generation fighters, electronic warfare platforms, transport aircraft, and helicopters suggests that José Aponte de la Torre Airport continues to play a central role as a forward operating base for air operations in the Caribbean. At the same time, the presence of these systems—even after the conclusion of Operation Absolute Resolve, which resulted in the capture of Nicolás Maduro—indicates that the United States is seeking to maintain an immediate response capability to potential regional contingencies.
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