U.S. Deploys F-22s to Israel, Repositions Carriers Amid Iran Tensions

The United States deployed combat aircraft to Israel for operational use for the first time, with twelve F-22 Raptor stealth fighters landing at Ovda Air Base on Feb. 24 and another dozen staged at RAF Lakenheath expected to follow; retired Lt. Gen. David Deptula told the New York Times this "indicates preparation for a more aggressive stance toward Iran" if Tehran does not comply. Ovda lies beyond the range of Iran's short-range ballistic missiles and is covered by Israel's layered air defenses, effectively providing the U.S. "a third aircraft carrier in the Middle East," security analysts said; the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group is off Israel's coast near Haifa, and the USS Abraham Lincoln is positioned near Iran's coastline. As of Feb. 27, the State Department authorized departure of all nonemergency personnel and family members from the U.S. Mission in Israel citing "safety risks," with an email from Ambassador Mike Huckabee directing staff to leave today, while China issued similar warnings, Israeli municipalities opened public bomb shelters, and airlines KLM and Lufthansa adjusted operations. Risk intelligence analysts say current U.S. preparations are "deeper and more sustained" than those preceding last June's strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, and the third round of Geneva talks concluded yesterday without a breakthrough, with technical discussions to resume in Vienna next week.