U.S. Increases Military Presence in the Middle East to Protect Israel.

On August 4, 2024, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered an increase in military presence in the region as officials worry about escalating violence in the Middle East following the recent assassinations of key Hezbollah figures in Lebanon and Hamas leaders in Iran. About a dozen F/A-18 fighters from the USS Theodore Roosevelt have been deployed to a military base in the Middle East to help defend Israel against potential attacks from Iran and its allies and to protect U.S. troops.
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U.S. Sailors signal an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-154 "Black Knights" and an F/A-18E Super Hornet from VFA-34 "Blue Blasters" aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during a trilateral exercise on April 11, 2024. (Picture source: US DoD)

The F/A-18s and an E-2D Hawkeye surveillance aircraft took off from the aircraft carrier in the Gulf of Oman and landed at an undisclosed base. This deployment is expected to be temporary, as a squadron of Air Force F-22 fighters is en route to the same base from Alaska. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the situation following a meeting with Australian leaders, urging all parties to avoid further escalation. Blinken emphasized the need for restraint and warned against the risks of miscalculation, while Austin reiterated that the U.S. would not tolerate attacks on its personnel.

The F/A-18 Hornet, developed by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), began production in the late 1970s and entered service with the U.S. Navy in 1983. Known for its versatility as both a fighter and attack aircraft, it can perform air combat and ground attack missions. The F/A-18 is equipped with advanced avionics, radars, and weapons systems, including air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions. It has a top speed of Mach 1.8 and a combat radius of 400-500 nautical miles. Currently, several hundred F/A-18s are in service with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps and have been exported to several allied nations.

The F-22 Raptor, produced by Lockheed Martin, was developed in the 1990s and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 2005. It is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for air superiority, capable of evading radar detection and conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The F-22 features advanced avionics, supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners), and highly maneuverable flight characteristics. It is equipped with a sophisticated suite of sensors and weapons, including AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. The U.S. Air Force operates around 180 F-22 Raptors, making it one of the most advanced and capable fighter jets in the world.

The troop movements come as U.S. officials provided more details about the rocket attack that struck the al-Asad airbase in Iraq, injuring five U.S. service members and two contractors. This attack is the latest in a series of strikes on U.S. forces by Iranian-backed militias. These militias have resumed attacks after a period of relative calm, viewing these actions as retaliation for U.S. support of Israel. The umbrella group Islamic Resistance in Iraq has regularly claimed responsibility for such attacks, aiming to expel U.S. troops from the region.

Officials stated that five of the injured are being treated at the al-Asad airbase and two have been evacuated, all in stable condition. This situation has heightened already high tensions in the Middle East, although it is not considered directly linked to the assassinations of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria have increased their attacks on bases housing U.S. forces, complicating efforts to maintain stability in the region.