US and UK evacuate Al Udeid as Washington redeploys aircraft carrier to Middle East
January 15, 2026
The US is evacuating its Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar as it bolsters regional air defence and announces the redeployment of an aircraft carrier to the Middle East. Large redeployments of tankers and fighter jets have not yet been observed.
US & UK evacuate Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar
As massive protests erupt in Iran that are almost evolving into a full-scale revolt, the United States and the United Kingdom appear to be making preparations for a possible military confrontation.
One of the largest and most important airbases for US operations in the region is Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This is the airbase that Iran targeted in retaliatory strikes after the US’s successful Operation Midnight Hammer against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Ahead of possible military action, Axios reported the US has begun evacuating some of its personnel from Al Udeid. The US typically has around 10,000 American service members stationed there. In parallel, the UK has begun evacuating some of its personnel stationed there.
These are legacy MiG-29's that have not received any significant modernization in their 30-odd years service in the #IRIAF, if they remain in the air tonight it might not be for long #Iran https://t.co/54MuY7ChCj
— Latin American Military Aviation (@LatinMilAv) January 15, 2026
Al Udeid would be an obvious target for any Iranian strikes on US assets in the region. The US mostly evacuated the base before Midnight Hammer, so when Iran targeted it, there were no casualties. At least one Iranian missile got through the US air defence and struck the base.
US establishes new air defence operations cell in Qatar
Meanwhile, the US Department of War stated yesterday, “U.S. Central Command and regional partners opened a new coordination cell at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar this week to enhance integrated air and missile defence.”
It explained the new operations cell is designed to “enhance coordination and integration for air and missile defence efforts” with the US among regional partners.
The US will work alongside regional allies in planning multinational exercises, conducting drills, and responding to contingencies. The cell is also to be responsible for sharing information and threat warnings.
🇺🇸 #USAF RC-135 family; last reported locations.
— Steffan Watkins (@steffanwatkins) January 14, 2026
Notably nothing has moved to the Middle East, which would be something we would normally see before USAF/American military engagement with Iran 🇮🇷. pic.twitter.com/kXOb7YaoEx
It is unclear if this bolstered air defence move is immediately operational or not, and if it is directly related to the volatile situation in Iran.
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
US redeploys aircraft carrier to the Middle East
With the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) currently deployed in the Caribbean amid confrontation with Venezuela, the US doesn’t have any aircraft carriers stationed in the Middle East.
Last night, it was announced that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) has been ordered to redeploy from the South China Sea to the Middle East. According to OSINT accounts, it will take around ten days for the carrier to arrive in theatre.
There are multiple reports of the US evaluating its options for strikes on Iran. These would likely either be in a show of solidarity with the protesters or in an attempt to meaningfully shift the calculus to overthrow the Islamic regime.
It is unclear what targets would be, although possibilities include Iranian leadership, IRGC bases, and remaining nuclear facilities.
As of the time of writing, it doesn’t appear that the US has significantly deployed more tanker aircraft into the region like it did on the eve of Operation Midnight Hammer. But if any action will take place after the carrier arrives, then there is time for the flocks of tankers to fly over with fighter jets in tow.
BREAKING:
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) January 15, 2026
News Nation reports that the USA is moving the aircraft carrier strike group Abraham Lincoln from the South China Sea to the Middle East.
It will arrive there in around a week pic.twitter.com/sJ9MYSbXFp
President Trump has repeatedly warned of consequences if the regime kills protesters, and yesterday posted saying, “Help is on the way.” Highlighting how volatile the situation is, hours later, the WSJ reported that Trump said Iran had stopped killing protesters.
Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded by taunting Trump. Estimates of deaths are highly uncertain, but some reports suggest thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of protesters have been killed. Iran International provided a higher estimate of 12,000 killed by last Tuesday.
Featured Image: US Department of War
