Aircraft
Raptors Bolster U.S. Gulf Force
A squadron of the stealthy fifth-generation F-22A fighters is the latest asset to join Central Command as heightened tensions with Iran continue.
Fitted with external tanks, a pair of F-22As taxis in at Al Udeid following deployment from the U.S. The photo has been "edited for security reasons"—presumably to remove unit codes—although it is known that the aircraft came from Langley. (Photo: AFCENT)
Fitted with external tanks, a pair of F-22As taxis in at Al Udeid following deployment from the U.S. The photo has been "edited for security reasons"—presumably to remove unit codes—although it is known that the aircraft came from Langley. (Photo: AFCENT)

A squadron of Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptors has been deployed to Qatar to strengthen U.S. Forces stationed in the Gulf region in the wake of the shootdown of a U.S. Navy RQ-4A BAMS-D remotely piloted aircraft and amid continuing tension with Iran. The F-22s, from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, arrived at Al Udeid air base on June 27, their first deployment to the Qatar base. The deployment was undertaken “in order to defend American forces and interests in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” said U.S. Central Command.


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