The Israeli broadcaster Kan 11 reported that the United States withdrew a squadron of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters from the Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, and returned it to American territory, about 5 months after it was deployed at the base and participated in air operations against Iran.
According to the report, the squadron consisted of 12 fighters that arrived in Israel last February, before the outbreak of the war with Iran, while satellite images published at the time showed the presence of 11 aircraft of this type inside the Uvda base, after the American squadron arrived in southern Israel as part of a large military buildup in the region.
The report indicated that American fighters participated, along with Israeli Air Force aircraft, in carrying out raids on targets inside Iran, before Washington decided to end the deployment of the squadron and return it to its bases in the United States.
The F-22 aircraft left the Ovda base accompanied by aircraft to refuel by air, and stopped temporarily in Britain, before continuing their journey towards American territory, in an operation that required extensive air and logistical coordination due to the long distance and the nature of the participating fighters.
Heavy military transport aircraft also arrived at the Uvda base to transport equipment, spare parts, ammunition and technical equipment, along with soldiers, pilots and maintenance crews who accompanied the squadron throughout its deployment in Israel.
On February 25, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation revealed the deployment of an entire American squadron at the Uvda base, and satellite images showed 11 F-22 fighters inside the base, along with air defense systems, transport and refueling aircraft, and technical and operational crews.
The arrival of these fighters at that time constituted a remarkable military development, given the rare deployment of F-22 aircraft outside American territory, especially inside an Israeli air base and in light of direct military preparations to attack Iran.
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation fighter that combines stealth from radar systems, the ability to fly at supersonic speeds, high maneuvering, and integrated sensor and communications systems. It can also carry out air-to-air and air-to-surface missions.
These capabilities gave American forces an advanced ability to penetrate protected airspace, confront enemy fighters, and provide air superiority, in addition to protecting other aircraft participating in operations from air threats.
The choice of the Uvda base gained special importance, as it is located in southern Israel and has long runways and facilities capable of accommodating advanced military aircraft, as well as fortified shelters that were used to house and protect the fighters during their deployment.
The deployment of the squadron was part of a broader American mobilization that included fighters, refueling aircraft, military transport aircraft, and naval and defense capabilities, coinciding with the high level of tension with Iran and preparation for the possibility of a transition from political pressure to military action.
On February 28, the United States and Israel began carrying out joint and broad strikes inside Iran, targeting military sites, missile systems, and air defenses, in a war that Israel called “The Lion’s Roar,” while Washington called its operation “Epic Rage.”
The withdrawal of the F-22 squadron does not necessarily mean ending the US military presence in the region or giving up the ability to carry out new operations, as Washington can redeploy fighters and air forces from other bases when needed.
However, the timing of the step acquires political and military significance, especially in light of attempts to reset the escalation between Washington and Tehran, and the continuation of diplomatic contacts aimed at preventing the return of all-out war.
The withdrawal of the squadron may indicate a reassessment of the US military deployment after the end of its primary mission, or a transfer of part of the air capabilities to other bases, but it does not alone provide conclusive evidence of a change in Washington’s strategy towards Iran.
The move also comes amid an American-Israeli disagreement regarding the next stage, as it was reported that the administration of President Donald Trump does not want Israel to engage in a new round of strikes on Iran, for fear of expanding the confrontation and losing control over it, while Tel Aviv confirms its readiness to move independently.
The departure of the squadron constitutes a prominent change in the military scene within the Ovda base, after it has transformed over the past months into an important center for American operations, and hosted one of the most advanced and secretive fighters in the American air arsenal.
All eyes remain on the rest of the American forces and media deployed in the region, to determine whether the withdrawal of the F-22 is an isolated step linked to the end of the squadron’s mission, or the beginning of a broader redeployment that reflects an American trend towards reducing the direct military presence.
