America’s Most Advanced Air-Dominance Jet Is Now in Israel

Twelve U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter jets landed Tuesday at an Israeli Air Force base in southern Israel, a rare overseas deployment of the jet the U.S. relies on to control enemy airspace.

The F-22 is one of only two stealth fighters in active U.S. service. Unlike the F-35, which is built to handle a wide range of missions, the F-22 was designed first and foremost to dominate enemy airspace. Its mission is to defeat opposing fighters, suppress advanced air defenses and secure control of the skies before broader strike operations unfold.

The aircraft carries its weapons internally to remain undetected and can cruise at supersonic speeds without using afterburners. It is capable of air-to-air combat, ground attack and electronic warfare missions. In high-threat environments, the F-22 is typically positioned at the front of an air campaign, tasked with neutralizing radar systems, interceptors and surface-to-air threats that could threaten the aircraft flying in behind it.

Only 195 F-22s were produced before the manufacturing line was closed, and the aircraft has never been sold to foreign militaries. Its deployment outside regular U.S. bases is therefore closely watched by defense analysts as a signal of seriousness rather than routine positioning.

The jets departed from a base in Britain earlier this week, accompanied by refueling tankers that were tracked crossing the Mediterranean, according to publicly reviewed flight data. U.S. officials later confirmed that some of the aircraft had already arrived in Israel, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The deployment comes as the United States has increased its force posture across the Middle East. Two aircraft carrier strike groups are operating in the region, and more than 60 American fighter jets are stationed at a base in Jordan. 

During U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last June, F-22s joined long-range bombers entering Iranian airspace, providing air cover and protection against potential interception, according to U.S. officials at the time. Their presence in Israel now makes any potential air campaign far more credible if tensions escalate further.

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, a retired U.S. Air Force officer and dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, described the move as strategically meaningful. “It indicates preparation for a more aggressive stance toward Iran and potential cooperation with Israel in an attack,” he said. “It signals that the U.S. is serious about attacking if Iran does not agree to U.S. terms.”

U.S. officials have not announced any decision to carry out strikes and continue to say diplomacy is their preferred path. But placing the F-22 inside Israel changes the military picture. Whether it is used or not, its presence sends a clear message about U.S. readiness and coordination with Israel.