Massive U.S. Buildup Continues: 6 F-22 Raptors Depart UK for Middle East
A massive wave of American reinforcements is moving toward the Middle East today as eight C-17 transport planes cross the Atlantic and six F-22 Raptor stealth fighters depart the UK for CENTCOM bases.
The United States is executing another major wave of military reinforcements toward Europe and the Middle East today, with heavy transport aircraft and elite stealth fighters moving simultaneously amid heightened tensions with Iran.Live flight tracking shows at least eight U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III heavy military transport planes currently crossing the Atlantic eastbound.
Most originated from U.S. East Coast bases and Fort Hood, Texas. OSINT sources describe the flights as the “next round of weapons and equipment,” likely carrying munitions, air-defense systems, and logistics support for forward-deployed forces.
Simultaneously, six F-22 Raptor stealth fighters (call signs TREND 51–56) departed RAF Lakenheath, UK this morning, supported by multiple KC-46 Pegasus and KC-135 tankers (ROMA flight) out of nearby RAF Mildenhall.
The Raptors, from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, are heading east toward CENTCOM bases in the Middle East (expected destinations include Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan and other forward locations).
This marks the final leg of a 12-jet F-22 deployment that began arriving in the UK on February 17. The fighters provide top-tier air superiority and are optimized for high-threat environments, including suppression of advanced air defenses
The dual movement is part of a sustained, large-scale U.S. airlift and fighter surge:Over 120 U.S. Air Force aircraft (including dozens of C-17s and C-5 Galaxies) have crossed the Atlantic in the past week.
More than 200 heavy transport flights have delivered equipment to Middle East hubs since mid-January.
The activity comes as the U.S. reinforces air and missile defense assets in the region while nuclear negotiations with Iran remain stalled and regional threats persist.
No official Pentagon statement has been released on today’s specific flights, which is standard practice for operational movements of this scale.
Additional C-17s and follow-on fighter packages are still tracking eastward.
Updates expected throughout the day.