{"id":323708,"date":"2026-02-26T07:38:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T07:38:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=323708"},"modified":"2026-02-27T08:12:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T08:12:18","slug":"us-build-up-in-middle-east-grows-as-f-22s-reach-israel-and-uss-ford-deploys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/?p=323708","title":{"rendered":"US build-up in Middle East grows as F-22s reach Israel and USS Ford deploys"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Aaron Spray \u2013 Aerospace Global News Feb 25, 2026<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>The US military build-up is seemingly complete after <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/tag\/f-22\/\"><strong>F-22s<\/strong><\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">F-22 Raptors arrive in Israel after delays<\/h2>\n<p>Last week, <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/us-f22-raptors-middle-east-buildup\/\"><strong>AGN reported that the US had deployed 12 F-12 Raptor fighters to RAF Lakenheath<\/strong><\/a> in the UK and that these were expected to continue to the Middle East.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USAF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#USAF<\/a> United States Air Force &#8211; Coronet East 033<\/p>\n<p>Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 12x<br \/>\nTREND 51-53 Flt 3x (08-4152\/08-4171\/08-4154) w\/ ROMA 02<br \/>\nTREND 54-56 Flt 3x (08-4158,09-4175,09-4187) w\/ ROMA 04<br \/>\nTREND 61-63 Flt 3x (08-4168\/10-4194\/09-4173) w\/ ROMA 12\/13<br \/>\nTREND 64-66 Flt 3x\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fiGiJCQcCo\">pic.twitter.com\/fiGiJCQcCo<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Armchair Admiral \uf1ec\uf1e7 (@ArmchairAdml) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArmchairAdml\/status\/2026439891677049213?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>In 2025, Raptors arrived just four days before the strikes on Iran began with Operation Midnight Hammer.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">Second wave of F-22s head to RAF Lakenheath and Middle East<\/h2>\n<p>OSINT account, <strong><u><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ArmchairAdml\/status\/2026446684914323810\">Armchair Admiral<\/a><\/u><\/strong>, 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 Kingdom.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USAF?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#USAF<\/a> United States Air Force &#8211; Coronet East 051<\/p>\n<p>Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor 6x<br \/>\nTABOR 31-32 Flt 2x +<br \/>\nTABOR 33-34 Flt 2x +<br \/>\nTABOR 35-36 Flt 2x<\/p>\n<p>Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker 5x<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AE0596?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AE0596<\/a> 59-1460 &#8211; GOLD 51<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AE0501?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AE0501<\/a> 59-1504 &#8211; GOLD 52<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AE0386?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AE0386<\/a> 59-1468 &#8211; GOLD 53<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/AE04C3?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#AE04C3<\/a> 59-1470 &#8211; GOLD 54\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yuGSZjvQhq\">pic.twitter.com\/yuGSZjvQhq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Armchair Admiral \uf1ec\uf1e7 (@ArmchairAdml) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ArmchairAdml\/status\/2026446684914323810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>He noted, \u201cTankers GOLD 51-53 departed Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station, while GOLD 54-55 flew from RAF Mildenhall.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This would bring the number of Raptors the US has sent over to England and the Middle East to 18. He also said, \u201cThere looks to be an additional six heading across tomorrow as well.\u201d That suggests the total may swell to 24 Raptors.<\/p>\n<p>This is a significant share of the USAF\u2019s fleet of 143 combat-coded F-22s, a substantial share of which are down for maintenance at any point.<\/p>\n<p>Armchair Admiral also posted, \u201cThere are various rumours surrounding this second set of F-22s, from backfilling deployed Lakenheath squadrons with also-rumoured incoming \u2018SJ\u2019 F-15Es, to being backup if the 11x F-22s which deployed today need rotating or reinforcing.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier arrives in Eastern Mediterranean<\/h2>\n<p>In other significant news, <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/us-deploys-uss-ford-to-caribbean-venezuela\/\"><strong>the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has completed its transit from the Caribbean<\/strong><\/a> to the Eastern Mediterranean. It was seen arriving in Crete, where it is reported to be refuelling.<\/p>\n<p>It is also reported to have some issues with its pumping, although it\u2019s unclear if that will have any impact on its deployment and operational readiness.<\/p>\n<p>The Ford brings a huge boost in firepower that includes its destroyer and submarine escort with their Tomahawk missiles and Aegis missile defence.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The Navy had the option of either extending the Ford\u2019s deployment or cutting back the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) exercises ahead of deployment as it works up after emerging from refit.<\/p>\n<div align=\"center\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">The crashed helicopter was reportedly an AH-1J Super Cobra, a pre-revolution attack helicopter still operated by Iranian Army Aviation.<\/p>\n<p>Four people were killed: the pilot, co-pilot, and two civilians working at the market.<\/p>\n<p>Iran&#8217;s Super Cobra fleet has reportedly suffered\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/KBRe0jN07I\">https:\/\/t.co\/KBRe0jN07I<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/QAyJLePUZN\">pic.twitter.com\/QAyJLePUZN<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Clash Report (@clashreport) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/clashreport\/status\/2026212855838568750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 24, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/tag\/uss-abraham-lincoln-cvn-72\/\"><strong>USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)<\/strong><\/a> is already in theatre in the Sea of Aden, having been redeployed from the Pacific.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/aerospaceglobalnews.com\/news\/us-f22-raptors-israel-ford-middle-east\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The USAF build-up continues with more F-22s being ferried across the Atlantic to RAF Lakenheath, before being deployed to forward bases in Israel and the Middle East<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":39262,"featured_media":48125,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[58,51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-323708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-Current_Affairs","category-Iran"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323708","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/39262"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=323708"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323708\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":323739,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/323708\/revisions\/323739"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/48125"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=323708"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=323708"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thetruthseeker.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=323708"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}