Half a dozen F-22 Raptors, along with a host of other aircraft, are reportedly being deployed to the Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility in the Middle East, adding more pressure on Iran.
At least 12 F-22s departed Langley Air Force Base (AFB) on February 17. Of these, six F-22s arrived at RAF Lakenheath in the UK the same day, as documented by local plane spotters.
In fact, videos showing the arrival of these six F-22 Raptors at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, England, were published on the social media site X. Meanwhile, another batch of six more F-22 fighters is expected to follow soon after, likely on February 18.
“Major fighter movements by the U.S. Air Force towards the Middle East are currently underway this morning, with 3 KC-46A “Pegasus” Aerial-Refueling Tankers, ROMA01/02/03, currently up over the Northeastern United States, supporting the transfer of 12 F-22 Raptors with the 1st Fighter Wing stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia to RAF Lakenheath in Europe,” OSINT Defender, a popular OSINT account stated on X.
Lakenheath serves as a common transatlantic stopover for US fighters heading to the Middle East. From here, all 12 F-22 Raptors are expected to continue onward for CENTCOM later in the week. However, the Command has not officially announced any such deployment, and their onward movement cannot be independently ascertained at this point.
The movement has been tied to fears of an imminent US attack on Iran amid warnings from President Trump that Tehran will face consequences if a nuclear deal is not agreed upon.
In fact, the Raptors made a similar passage four days ahead of Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, following which, they escorted the B-2 Spirit bombers that were tasked with dropping bunker-buster bombs on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The F-22 is the USAF’s premier fifth-generation air superiority stealth fighter, allowing it to evade radar detection far better than fourth-generation jets like the F-15 or F-16.
This stealth edge will be crucial in a potential attack on Iran, particularly against the West Asian country’s integrated air defence system (IADS), which includes Russian-origin S-300 air defence systems, indigenous systems such as the Bavar-373, and a network of radars and surface-to-air missiles (SAMs).
If the US decides to strike Iran, the F-22 Raptors can be deployed alongside the F-35s to conduct SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defences) or DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defences) missions, creating corridors for follow-on strikes by less-stealthy aircraft, such as the F-15s, or bombers. Additionally, it could be used for conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) undetected deep in hostile airspace.
Unlike other jets that have deployed to the region, such as the F-15Es and the A-10s, the F-22 can operate with near-impunity in contested airspace, making it ideal for an “impending attack” scenario in which US or allied forces need to neutralize threats quickly without incurring losses, as in the Midnight Hammer attack.
Back in 2013, a US MQ-1 Predator drone was flying across international airspace when an Iranian Air Force F-4 Phantom combat fighter attempted to shoot it down, but ended up abandoning the pursuit after being warned off by two American fighter jets.
At the time, information was kept secret for security concerns. However, the former US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh. General Welsh told reporters later that the F-22 Raptors were providing “HVAAE (High-Value Air Asset Escort) for the drone at the time of the incident, underscoring the supremacy of the Raptors over Iranian jets, as discussed in detail in the past by the EurAsian Times.
The mobilization of F-22 Raptors comes as Trump signalled that the second round of talks on February 17 was significant, adding that he will remain indirectly involved. “I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” he said, referring to the momentum of the talks in Geneva.
Notably, the US has attempted to broaden the focus of negotiations to non-nuclear matters, such as Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, triggering speculation that the nuclear talks could stall once again.
The Iranian government has offered to scale back its nuclear program for relief from sanctions, but President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that his country would “not yield to their excessive demands.”
In fact, Tehran maintains that zero enrichment violates its rights under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Arriving in Geneva earlier this week, Aragchi said on X that he was in the city “with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal”, adding, “What is not on the table: submission before threats.”
However, the US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that military action against Iran would be taken if a nuclear deal is not reached.
US Military Build-Up In The Middle East
In addition to the F-22, U-2 Dragon Lady spy planes, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and E-3 Sentry radar planes, F-15C Eagle fighter planes have either recently arrived in Europe or are now transiting from the Atlantic, according to OSINT analysts and plane spotters.
It appears as though at least 36 F-16s are also en route to the Middle East. Twelve each are said to be from McEntire Joint National Guard Base (JNGB) in South Carolina, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, and Aviano Air Base in Italy. These jets could very well be used in an air-to-ground or defence air-to-air role against missiles and drones.
Multiple E-3 AWACS, considered flying radars and command centres, are also believed to be headed to the Middle East soon. These aircraft would be essential in controlling the allied air combat and monitoring Iranian threats, particularly drones and cruise missiles, thanks to their look-down radar, sophisticated communications suite, and passive sensors.
Additionally, at least one U-2 Dragon Lady surveillance plane, which can serve as a communications link between F-22s and F-35 stealth aircraft and for high-altitude reconnaissance, is currently en route to the Middle East.
The movement of multiple refuelling aircraft along with these cutting-edge aircraft has been recorded by plane spotters and published online.
There are at least two dozen F-15E fighters, also called bomb trucks due to their huge payload capacity, at Muwaffaq Salti Ab, Jordan, along with a dozen F-35A fighter jets, six EA-18G Growlers, and a squadron of A-10 Warthogs.
Meanwhile, a dozen F-16s are believed to be deployed at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. If that was not enough, 18 F-35A stealth fighters have reportedly departed Lakenheath for Muwaffaq Salti. The base also houses special operations MC-130s, MQ-9 Reapers, and other US assets.
The United States is also bolstering its naval might in the region. Last week, for instance, it ordered the deployment of USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest warship, to join USS Abraham Lincoln in the Middle East. And more recently, it has reportedly sent a seventh Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, the USS Pinckney, to the region.
“After the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group transits the Atlantic, the U.S. will have 2 aircraft carriers and 15 destroyers (plus a few subs) to work with across combatant commands,” as noted by journalist and military watcher Ian Ellis.
Both carriers are equipped with humongous air wings carrying fighters such as F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Lightning II jets, and EA-18G Growlers. Meanwhile, the destroyers provide anti-air, anti-missile, and Tomahawk cruise missile strike capability.
Some analysts believe that a second aircraft carrier is being called into the region for two reasons: to build deterrence and pressure Iran into signing a deal, and to prepare for a sustained conflict if an attack is launched.
Furthermore, dual-carrier operations enable overlapping flight cycles: one carrier can focus on offensive strikes while the other can concentrate on defensive Close Air Support (CAS), intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, or tanker support; the other carrier can refuel or maintain aircraft while the first launches or recovers, reducing downtime and maintaining constant pressure. From a tactical perspective, a second carrier allows one group to be positioned farther from shore for standoff launches, while the other operates closer for rapid-response or lower-altitude strikes.
The total number of US troops in the Middle East has crossed 30,000 and remains concentrated at Al Udeid in Qatar, the Prince Sultan base in Saudi Arabia, and sites in Jordan and the UAE. Some of the most advanced air defence assets, such as the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defence) and Patriot batteries, have been deployed or mobilized at key bases, including at Al Udeid, according to reports.
This force posture mirrors preparations for “Operation Midnight Hammer” in 2025 but on a larger scale, with assets for degrading Iran’s IADS, nuclear facilities, and IRGC (Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps) infrastructure.
- Contact the author at sakshi.tiwari13 (at) outlook.com
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