The US has deployed F-22A Raptor stealth jets at the Air Base Al-Udeid in Qatar amid soaring tensions with Iran.
“The US Air Force F-22 Raptor arrives at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 27, 2019,” the US military said in a release on June 28. “These aircraft are deployed to Qatar for the first time in order to defend American forces and interests in the US Central Command area of responsibility.”
The Air Force did not give the total number of F-22s deployed. Pictures from the area showed at least five the warplanes over the base.
US Air Force F-22 Raptors fly in formation as they prepare to land at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 27, 2019.
US Air Force F-22 Raptors arrive at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, June 27, 2019.
The F-22 deployment came a week after an Iranian surface-to-air missile shot down a US spy drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Iran said the drone was in its airspace, but Washington claims it was over international waters. US President Donald Trump even claimed that he ordered a military strike in response to the Global Hawk shootdown, but then called it back.
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