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Massive US Air Surge Reported Near Iran in Largest Build-Up Since Gulf Wars
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A surge in US military air activity across Europe and the Middle East is being described as one of the most significant movements of American aircraft in decades, as tensions remain high over Iran, UK Defence Journal reported on February 18.
UK Defence Journal compiled flight-tracking summaries using publicly available data and said the “largest US build-up of kit since the Gulf Wars is now fully underway.”
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According to the outlet’s assessment, the past 48 hours have seen unusually dense movements of fighter aircraft and high-value support platforms, unfolding in two main phases.
The first centered on increased F-35 activity linked to RAF Lakenheath, while the second involved a broader mix of aircraft, including F-16s, F-22s, E-3 Sentry airborne early warning aircraft, E-11A battlefield communications aircraft, and multiple aerial refuelling tankers.
Meanwhile, Russia has delivered its first Mi-28NE “Night Hunter” attack helicopter to Iran, fulfilling a key part of a 2023 procurement deal. The aircraft was recently photographed undergoing final inspection at a facility in Tehran, signaling a deepening of military cooperation between the two nations.
Jon, a senior editor at the UK Defence Journal, noted the scale of the activity made it difficult to assemble a complete picture at once, writing: “Missing data will be identified and filled in in the coming days, there has simply been too much for me to compile in one go today, but this paints a fairly good picture.”
The movements come amid a wider uptick in US deployments, with additional reporting pointing to a major naval concentration planned in the region, including two aircraft carriers and supporting escort ships.
While the individual flights are not officially tied to specific operations, the volume and mix of combat and support assets suggest a sustained surge posture rather than routine training, UK Defence Journal reported.
Previously, it was reported that Iran had stepped up protective measures around its nuclear complex in Isfahan, reinforcing tunnel entrances and restoring damaged surface facilities as concerns grow over a potential US strike.
Satellite imagery had shown intensified construction activity near multiple tunnel entrances at the site. Analysts reported that Iran has been piling earth and debris around the central and southern tunnel openings, effectively sealing them off.
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