Tensions between the US and Iran are at an all-time high, with the US poised to act against Iran's nuclear program. On February 24-25, 2026, the US Air Force deployed 12 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to a southern Israeli airbase. These jets made their way from Britain's Lakenheath Airbase to Israel, marking a significant military build-up in the Middle East.
How many jets have been deployed?
According to US officials and Israeli media (the Times of Israel, New York Times), around 12 F-22 jets have been stationed at a southern Israeli airbase. This strategic location allows for swift strikes on multiple Iranian targets.
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Source: aajtak
The F-22 Raptor – The World's Deadliest Stealth Fighter
Crafted by Lockheed Martin and Boeing, the F-22 Raptor stands as a fifth-generation fighter jet engineered specifically for the US Air Force. It possesses an uncanny ability to virtually vanish from enemy radar.
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Key Features
Engine: 2 Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 turbofan engines (each with 35,000 pounds of thrust)
Max Speed: Approximately 2,414 km/h
Length: 62 feet 1 inch (18.9 meters)
Wingspan: 44 feet 6 inches (13.6 meters)
Height: 16 feet 8 inches (5.1 meters)
Empty Weight: 19,700 kg
Max Takeoff Weight: 38,000 kg
Flight Ceiling: In excess of 50,000 feet
Range: Over 3,000 km
Special Features: Stealth technology, thrust vectoring (engine nozzle maneuverability), advanced radar (AN/APG-77 AESA), electronic warfare systems. While the enemy can see but can't detect this marvel, it sees all.
Source: aajtak
Firepower...
The F-22 has a knack for stealthy dominance by storing its arsenal in an internal weapon bay.
Air-to-air: 6 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles + 2 AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles
Ground attack: 2 JDAM 1,000-pound bombs or 8 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB)
20 mm M61A2 Vulcan Cannon: 480 rounds (for close combat scenarios)
This jet can engage multiple enemy planes simultaneously and embodies the ethos of “see first, shoot first, win first.”
Source: aajtak
Historical Deployments
The F-22 made its combat debut on September 22, 2014, during Operation Inherent Resolve, targeting ISIS positions in Syria and Iraq. Between 2014-2015, it flew 204 sorties and released 270 bombs on 60 targets. In June 2025, it was integral in strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
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Why Deployed?
These jets are capable of piercing through Iran’s air defenses. Stationed at an Israeli base, they can execute operations beyond Iran’s missile range. US President Trump has indicated that should diplomacy fail, military action is on the line. The deployment of the F-22 is an evident token of this readiness. The F-22 Raptor is lauded as the world’s premier fighter, unrivaled by contemporary jets.
