US Air Force deploys F-22 Raptors to Israel amid Iran tensions
In brief
- F-22 Raptors: US deployed 10-12 stealth fighters to Ovda Air Base in southern Israel starting February 2026
- First deployment: American combat jets permanently stationed on Israeli soil for the first time
- Strike missions: F-22s conducted coordinated attacks on Iranian targets during deployment window
- Withdrawal: Aircraft pulled out in early July 2026 as Iranian missile and drone attacks resumed
Deployment and Operations
Ovda Air Base sits in the Negev desert in southern Israel, approximately 90 minutes flight time from Tehran. The base is known for hardened aircraft shelters, making it a defensible position for advanced US fighter operations. During their deployment window, the F-22s participated in coordinated US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, leveraging the proximity to Tehran to extend operational reach and reduce response times compared to carrier or Gulf-based operations.
The strategic calculus shifted measurably with the F-22 presence. Iran's threat assessment had to account for stealth fighters operating from Israeli territory rather than from distant carriers or Gulf states, fundamentally altering the defensive posture required.
Withdrawal and Aftermath
The F-22s flew strike missions against Iranian targets before being withdrawn in early July 2026. That withdrawal happened to coincide with a fresh wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks aimed at Israeli territory. Iranian missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets continued through July 2026.
Following the F-22 withdrawal in early July 2026, no confirmed reports emerged of a comparable replacement force being moved into Ovda. KC-135 tanker aircraft, which extend the range and endurance of virtually every jet in the American inventory, were repositioned away from Gulf bases in response to Iranian threat assessments, signaling a broader recalibration of US air operations in the region.
Platform and Contractors
Lockheed Martin builds the F-22, while Raytheon and other contractors supply the munitions, radar systems, and electronic warfare suites that enable these deployments. The advanced systems integration required for operations at Ovda underscored the complexity of forward-basing fifth-generation fighters outside traditional US military infrastructure.
