Operation Forward Base: Why the US is Turning Israel into a Stealth Launchpad 

As the high-stakes diplomatic theater continues in Geneva, the military reality on the ground in Israel is shifting toward an inevitable war. On Wednesday evening, defense sources confirmed that the United States is increasing its deployment of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters on Israeli soil. While twelve of the world’s most advanced air superiority jets are already stationed at local bases, six additional aircraft are currently in transit to reinforce the fleet. This surge in airpower, combined with the presence of American heavy refueling tankers, effectively transforms Israel into a "Forward Operating Base" for the United States Air Force. This strategic positioning allows for devastating, long-range strikes against Iranian nuclear sites while keeping the American pilots under the protective umbrella of Israel’s world-class air defense systems.

The Raptor Surge and Integrated Command

The decision to base these elite stealth assets within Israel is a calculated move to shorten the flight path to Tehran and maximize mission endurance. By operating from Israeli runways, the F-22s can reach their targets with less reliance on vulnerable mid-air refueling over hostile territory. To finalize the operational coordination, the commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, visited the American pilots on Wednesday. This meeting was intended to tighten the joint readiness between the two nations, ensuring that when the order comes, the integration of Israeli and American wings will be seamless.

The presence of eighteen Raptors, the largest such deployment in Israeli history, signals that the "Maximum Pressure" campaign is entering its kinetic phase. While the White House has imposed new economic sanctions on the regime's top brass, military analysts suggest that the next step may be a total naval or aerial blockade of Iran. Such a siege would serve as the final "card" played by President Trump to force a diplomatic surrender before the F-22s are given the green light to penetrate Iranian airspace.

Preparing the Home Front for War

While the air force polishes its strike plans, the IDF Home Front Command has begun an extensive expansion of its drills across local municipalities and educational institutions. There is an acute understanding within the defense establishment that early preparation is the only way to ensure civilian resilience once the war begins. However, the military is maintaining a high degree of ambiguity regarding the exact "reference scenarios" being practiced.

Officials are intentionally withholding specific details about the expected scale of the Iranian missile retaliation to avoid causing unnecessary public panic. Instead, the focus remains on ensuring that local mayors and school administrators know exactly how to transition to emergency protocols in a matter of seconds. The message from the Home Front Command is clear: while the details of the threat are classified, the necessity of preparation is absolute. As the Geneva talks reach their breaking point, the combination of incoming stealth fighters and expanded civil defense drills suggests that the window for a peaceful resolution is almost entirely shut.