US build-up in Middle East grows as F-22s reach Israel and USS Ford deploys
February 25, 2026
The US military build-up is seemingly complete after F-22s finally arrived in the Middle East and the USS Ford aircraft carrier is on station in the theatre. Meanwhile, more Raptors are being ferried to the UK.
F-22 Raptors arrive in Israel after delays
Last week, AGN reported that the US had deployed 12 F-12 Raptor fighters to RAF Lakenheath in the UK and that these were expected to continue to the Middle East.
#USAF United States Air Force – Coronet East 033
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) February 24, 2026
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 12x
TREND 51-53 Flt 3x (08-4152/08-4171/08-4154) w/ ROMA 02
TREND 54-56 Flt 3x (08-4158,09-4175,09-4187) w/ ROMA 04
TREND 61-63 Flt 3x (08-4168/10-4194/09-4173) w/ ROMA 12/13
TREND 64-66 Flt 3x… pic.twitter.com/fiGiJCQcCo
It had been assumed they would move the following day, but they stayed in Lakenheath for a few days. They finally took off for the Middle East yesterday, being ferried there with external fuel tanks and aerial tankers.
The Raptors were delayed in heading to the UK from Langley Air Force Base in the US after an electrical issue with the KC-46 Pegasus tanker forced them to return to base. The following day, there were more technical issues with replacement tankers.
Yesterday, open source reporting the Raptors ran into another glitch as 11 were ferried to Ovda Air Base in Israel, but one (callsign TREND 66) turned back to Lakenheath after a fuel tank leak.
With these Raptors arriving in theatre, some OSINT accounts suggested the US build-up is now essentially complete ahead of potential strikes on Iran. That said, OSINT accounts have been proven wrong in this build-up before, with the US choosing to send even more assets.
In 2025, Raptors arrived just four days before the strikes on Iran began with Operation Midnight Hammer.
Second wave of F-22s head to RAF Lakenheath and Middle East
OSINT account, Armchair Admiral, posted that five KC-135 tankers are supporting six more F-22s from the Langley Air Force Base to the RAF Lakenheath in the United States.
#USAF United States Air Force – Coronet East 051
— Armchair Admiral 🇬🇧 (@ArmchairAdml) February 24, 2026
Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 6x
TABOR 31-32 Flt 2x +
TABOR 33-34 Flt 2x +
TABOR 35-36 Flt 2x
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 5x#AE0596 59-1460 – GOLD 51#AE0501 59-1504 – GOLD 52#AE0386 59-1468 – GOLD 53#AE04C3 59-1470 – GOLD 54… pic.twitter.com/yuGSZjvQhq
He noted, “Tankers GOLD 51-53 departed Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, while GOLD 54-55 flew from RAF Mildenhall.”
This would bring the number of Raptors the US has sent over to England and the Middle East to 18. He also said, “There looks to be an additional six heading across tomorrow as well.” That suggests the total may swell to 24 Raptors.
This is a significant share of the USAF’s fleet of 143 combat-coded F-22s, a substantial share of which are down for maintenance at any point.
Armchair Admiral also posted, “There are various rumours surrounding this second set of F-22s, from backfilling deployed Lakenheath squadrons with also-rumoured incoming ‘SJ’ F-15Es, to being backup if the 11x F-22s which deployed today need rotating or reinforcing.”
Get the latest aerospace defence news here on AGN.
USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrives in Eastern Mediterranean
In other significant news, the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has completed its transit from the Caribbean to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was seen arriving in Crete, where it is reported to be refuelling.
It is also reported to have some issues with its pumping, although it’s unclear if that will have any impact on its deployment and operational readiness.
The Ford brings a huge boost in firepower that includes its destroyer and submarine escort with their Tomahawk missiles and Aegis missile defence.
The redeployment of the USS Ford came as a surprise to many, as it was due to return to port for routine maintenance and give its crews some rest. The carrier may be set to break another inauspicious record for longest deployment.
The Navy had the option of either extending the Ford’s deployment or cutting back the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) exercises ahead of deployment as it works up after emerging from refit.
The crashed helicopter was reportedly an AH-1J Super Cobra, a pre-revolution attack helicopter still operated by Iranian Army Aviation.
— Clash Report (@clashreport) February 24, 2026
Four people were killed: the pilot, co-pilot, and two civilians working at the market.
Iran's Super Cobra fleet has reportedly suffered… https://t.co/KBRe0jN07I pic.twitter.com/QAyJLePUZN
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is already in theatre in the Sea of Aden, having been redeployed from the Pacific.
Featured Image: US Air Force
