US F-22 Raptors deploy to the Middle East

Eight of twelve U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors have left RAF Lakenheath for Muwaffaq Salti AB in Jordan as part of a U.S. response to ongoing military operations involving Israel and Iran.

The F-22 Raptor is a U.S. twin-engine, jet-powered, all-weather, supersonic stealth fighter. Designed for air superiority, it also performs ground attack, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence. Lockheed Martin built the airframe and weapons systems and handled final assembly; Boeing provided wings, aft fuselage, avionics integration, and training systems.

The aircraft began their journey on June 20, 2025, supported by KC-135 and KC-46 tankers. Two flights, TABOR 51 and TABOR 71, successfully took off, despite one tanker facing technical issues.

Additional F-22s will depart soon, with online flight tracking available. This deployment follows heightened military activity in the region, as emphasized by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, highlighting the need to bolster U.S. defenses.