US Deploys 18 F-35s to Jordan

At least 18 US Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets took off from RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2026, in a coordinated eastbound deployment widely tracked by aviation monitoring outlets and open-source intelligence (OSINT) observers. Flight tracking data, tanker coordination, and spotter reports indicate the aircraft landed at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan — also known as Azraq Air Base — on or around February 17, consistent with transit time and aerial refueling support.

One of the Largest Recent F-35 Relocations

The movement was described by OSINT communities as a large-scale “air train,” flying in organized three-ship cells and supported by multiple KC-135 Stratotankers — with reports of as many as nine refueling aircraft involved. The scale makes it one of the most significant single-day F-35 relocations observed in recent years.

The deployment appears to reinforce earlier rotations, including approximately 12 F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard’s 158th Fighter Wing that had arrived in previous weeks. If fully integrated, the total number of F-35s at Muwaffaq Salti could approach 30.

While the US Department of Defense has not issued a specific statement confirming the landing of this exact group — standard practice amid operational security concerns — multiple independent aviation tracking platforms, satellite imagery reviews, and air traffic monitoring sources report consistent data. No credible outlet has debunked the movement as of February 17.

Muwaffaq Salti Emerges as Forward Strike Hub

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has become a central node in the US regional posture. In addition to F-35As, the base hosts F-15E Strike Eagles — including aircraft from squadrons such as the 494th Fighter Squadron previously stationed at Lakenheath — alongside A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft and EA-18G Growlers for electronic warfare.

Dozens of F-15Es from multiple US bases, including Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Mountain Home Air Force Base, have reportedly rotated through the theater, with estimates ranging from 24 to more than 36 aircraft in total.

The base is also supported by Patriot missile defense systems and potentially THAAD batteries, reinforcing defensive coverage amid concerns over Iranian missile or drone retaliation.

Dual Carrier Presence and Naval Expansion

The air surge aligns with a broader maritime buildup. The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group is positioned in the Arabian Sea, roughly 700 kilometers from Iran, carrying around 90 aircraft, including F-35C stealth fighters, and escorted by guided-missile destroyers equipped with Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group — the world’s largest aircraft carrier — is en route from the Caribbean and expected to arrive within three to four weeks. Once in theater, the dual-carrier presence would significantly expand US strike capacity and deterrence leverage.

Reports indicate that roughly one-third of the US Navy’s deployed fleet is now oriented toward potential Middle East operations, with additional destroyers and support vessels spread across the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Red Sea, and eastern Mediterranean.

Heavy Airlift and Sustained Operations Planning

Dozens of C-17 Globemaster III cargo flights have transported troops, equipment, and munitions into Jordan and neighboring bases in Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. Additional KC-135 and KC-46 refueling aircraft have deployed to sustain high sortie rates.

US officials have reportedly extended deployments for units originally scheduled to rotate out and are preparing contingency plans for sustained, weeks-long operations if ordered. Planning reportedly includes not only nuclear facility targets but broader Iranian state and security infrastructure.

Talks in Geneva Under Military Shadow

The military escalation coincides with indirect US-Iran nuclear negotiations, with a second round held February 17 at the Omani embassy in Geneva. The talks are mediated by Oman and focus on Iran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief.

President Donald Trump has warned that failure to reach a deal could bring “steep consequences,” describing a “massive armada” assembled in the region. While US officials frame deployments as readiness-focused and deterrent in nature, the scale of assets suggests both leverage in negotiations and genuine operational preparedness.

Iran Signals Defiance

Iran has conducted naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz — a critical global oil transit chokepoint — in what analysts view as a show of force. Iranian state media has aired footage of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, portraying the buildup as preparation for “full-scale war.”

Iranian officials insist negotiations must remain limited to nuclear issues and sanctions relief, rejecting US demands to address ballistic missile capabilities. The backdrop also includes Iran’s crackdown on protests during 2025–2026 and growing international scrutiny over its nuclear advances.

Escalation Without Open Conflict — For Now

No direct strikes have occurred. However, the combination of stealth fighter deployments, expanded missile defenses, heavy airlift operations, and the impending dual-carrier presence represents one of the most substantial US force surges in the Middle East in recent years.

Open-source tracking — including ADS-B flight data, satellite imagery, and real-time aviation monitoring — continues to verify much of the activity. With diplomacy and deterrence unfolding simultaneously, developments remain fluid as Washington and Tehran navigate one of the most volatile security moments in the region in 2026.