US Sends Hundreds of Troops To Israeli Air Bases as Iran Tensions Reach Breaking Point
Israeli military officials describe this as more than just a training exercise. "This is a direct message to the Iranian axis," one source told Walla. "The U.S. is not just providing weapons; they are providing the experts and the platform to use them from right here in our backyard."
According to a Walla News report, hundreds of American soldiers have arrived in Israel over the past week as security tensions with Iran escalate. Walla reports that the troops, specialists in advanced weapons systems, control technologies, and surveillance, are stationed inside IDF bases, with a particular focus on Air Force installations.
The deployment includes F-22 fighter jets at the Ovda base in southern Israel, accompanied by maintenance, logistics, and intelligence teams. Walla notes that the F-22 is a system reserved exclusively for the U.S. military, making its presence on Israeli soil especially significant.
Walla further reports that Israeli military officials describe the American presence as a direct deterrence message to the Iranian axis, and that the choice of Israel as a base for the F-22s reflects high regard for the Israeli Air Force's capabilities.
The deployment is part of a broader U.S. decision to significantly expand its Middle East presence, with thousands of troops also sent to bases in Jordan and Qatar, alongside increased aircraft carrier presence in the Mediterranean.
With the Friday 3:00 PM (EST) deadline approaching, the presence of American specialists on Israeli runways suggests that if the order is given, the transition from "readiness" to "combat" will be instantaneous.