As part of the progressive reinforcement of the United States’ military posture in the Middle East, a total of eleven F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) arrived at Ovda Air Base, located in Israel’s Negev Desert. The aircraft had previously departed from RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, where they made a technical stop before continuing their deployment to the region.
A move framed within regional escalation
The arrival of the USAF F-22s comes amid rising tensions linked to Iran’s nuclear program and the hardening of the U.S. stance in the region. In recent weeks, Washington has increased the presence of naval and air assets within the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility, including the simultaneous deployment of the Carrier Strike Groups led by USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), as well as the reinforcement of bases in the Gulf and the eastern Mediterranean with a wide array of aircraft.
According to what was reported by Escenario Mundial, more than 160 military flights to Europe and the Middle East have been recorded so far in February as part of the U.S. campaign. These air deployments are the largest since the 1991 Gulf War and include F-35A Lightning II fighters, F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, as well as transport and aerial refueling aircraft such as the KC-135 and KC-46 Pegasus, among others.
In particular, the arrival of the F-22 aircraft has been one of the most significant moves within the U.S. deployment in Europe and the Middle East, introducing a qualitative component into the deterrence framework Washington is seeking to establish in order to pressure Iran. Designed for air superiority, penetration of highly defended environments, and operations in scenarios featuring advanced air defense systems, the Raptor represents one of the most sensitive assets in the U.S. inventory.
According to information circulated by open sources, a twelfth aircraft was forced to return to Lakenheath shortly after takeoff due to a suspected fuel leak, although it is expected to complete the transfer in the coming days.
Permanent deployment or operational transit?
Finally, although the aircraft landed at Ovda, it has not been confirmed whether they will remain operating from Israel or whether the base is serving as an intermediate stop before their redistribution to other facilities in the Middle East. In previous deployments, the United States has used multiple locations—including bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia—to sustain air operations in the region.
For analysts, Ovda, located in southern Israel, offers not only logistical but also geographic advantages for operating over both the eastern Mediterranean and toward the Persian Gulf. However, some believe that the continued presence of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on Israeli territory would carry an additional political message within the context of the current regional situation.
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