Iran-Israel tensions: US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet 'holds ground' ahead of F-22 Raptor deployment in Middle East
As part of the Pentagon's efforts to protect American troops and help defend Israel against possible attacks by Iran and its proxies, a dozen F/A-18 fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt flew to a military base in the Middle East, a US. . the official told the media.
According to the official, the F/A-18 and an E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft took off from the carrier in the Gulf of Oman on August 5 and arrived at an unidentified military base in the area.
The development comes after reports suggested that the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln had gone to the Middle East to replace the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which has been sailing in the region for some time.
Preparing for an attack, the US also said it was deploying additional naval warplanes, naval cruisers and destroyers that could shoot down incoming ballistic missiles. However, it is intriguing that the naval fighters are stationed at a land base, given that the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) already has fighter jets such as the F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Warthogs. in the area. Additionally, the deployment of naval fighters comes as a dozen F-22 Raptors are said to be en route to the Middle East. These Raptors are said to be stationed at the same base where the Super Hornets are stationed, indicating that their deployment is likely to be temporary.
The official told the media that how long the plane will stay together at the base is unknown. It may depend on what happens in the next few days.
F/A-18 Super Hornets have already been deployed in the region to shoot down missiles fired by Houthi militias based in Yemen following Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza. The Super Hornets have also carried out numerous strikes against the Houthis alongside their British counterparts. In January, for example, F/A-18s from the USS Eisenhower and other ships shot down two anti-ship cruise missiles, a Houthi ballistic missile and 18 drones during a firefight. According to reports, the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, now heading to the Middle East, is carrying EA-18 Growlers, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, F-35C Joint Strike Fighters, E-2D Hawkeye . reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft, MH-60R/S Seahawk helicopters, and C-2 Greyhound delivery aircraft.
The deployments come after President Joe Biden pledged last week "further US defensive military deployments" in the region, which was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The United States is preparing for Iran to carry out its threat of retaliation for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas in Tehran, attributed to Israel. (U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd) Austin ordered adjustments to the U.S. military posture aimed at improving the protection of U.S. forces, increasing defense support for Israel, and ensuring U.S. readiness to respond to different emergency situations," the Pentagon said in a statement.
Following the deaths of former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut last week, there have been concerns that Iran's retaliation could spark a wider regional conflict beyond Israel's war against to Hamas. Israel is suspected of being behind the two killings after months of bloody attacks in Gaza that have left nearly 40,000 Palestinians dead. Israel has also been embroiled in tensions with Iran and its ally in Lebanon, Hezbollah. This has led to speculation about the possibility of a regional war involving Iran and its proxies on one side and Israel and its Western allies on the other. Iranian officials have made it clear that they will get back. Nasser Kanaani, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that the only way to ensure regional security is to "punish the aggressor and create a deterrent against the adventurism of the Zionist regime."
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