More U.S. F-35As and F-15Es Deploy to Middle East as Operation Epic Fury Escalates

Additional F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters and F-15E Strike Eagles have departed RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, bound for the Middle East theater as Operation Epic Fury enters its fourth day. A dozen F-35As originally from Hill Air Force Base in Utah are among the jets redeploying to the region, accompanied by KC-135 Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft. Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed the reinforcements, stating "more tactical aviation is flowing into theater." Muwaffaq Salti air base in central Jordan has become a primary staging hub for U.S. tactical aircraft supporting the ongoing campaign, which has struck over 1,700 targets in Iran in its first three days.