The first 8 of 12 U.S. Air Force F-22s have departed the UK and are currently en route to the region as the White House considers whether to join Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran.
Split into two sections, each made of four jets, the first eight F-22s of the U.S. Air Force, supported by KC-135 and KC-46 tankers, have departed from RAF Lakenheath, UK. Their destination is, according to Open Source reports, Muwaffaq Salti AB, in Jordan.
Our friend and contributor Glenn Lockett, was able to snap some interesting images of the 5th generation aircraft and their aerial refuelers, as they headed towards the Middle East, to join the rest of the U.S. assets deployed to the U.S: Central Command Area of Operations “to enhance the U.S. defensive posture in the region,” as U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced.
The aircraft took off again towards their final destination in the morning of Jun. 20, 2025. The first flight of four F-22s that departed was TABOR 51, supported by KC-46 GOLD 03. The first section was followed an hour later by the F-22s’ TABOR 71 flight and KC-135 GOLD 23.
09.15 TABOR 51 flt 4 x F-22 FF airborne from Lakenheath A/A 315.850
— Mike B (@jamjake01) June 20, 2025
10.13 TABOR 71 flt 4 x F-22 airborne from Lakenheath to meet with GOLD 23 working 264.575
— Mike B (@jamjake01) June 20, 2025
According to the reports, the KC-46 had to abort and return to RAF Mildenhall because of a technical issue, and was replaced by a second KC-46, callsign GOLD 13. GOLD 03 safely landed after burning some fuel to meet the landing weight’s limits.
09.20 GOLD 03 is working an issue and will burn fuel down and return to Mildenhall and TABOR 51flt will now pick up with GOLD 13 KC-46 just about to get airborne.
— Mike B (@jamjake01) June 20, 2025
Apparently it’s had a technical problem.
— Mike’s Old Tat 🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@stockotrader) June 20, 2025
The third section has not yet departed, as it appears that its should have been supported by GOLD 13, which had to step in for GOLD 03 as its sections of Raptors was already airborne. It’s not clear when the remaining quartet of F-22s will be able to depart. At the time of writing, another KC-135, callsign GOLD 24, is departing Mildenhall and will possibly support the last F-22s.
In the meanwhile, you can follow the action at RAF Lakenheath live thanks to this Youtube stream:
The aircraft, belonging to the 1FW out of Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, arrived in the UK on Jun. 18, 2025, as TABOR51, 61 and 71 flights. Their deployment could be monitored online by tracking their support tanker on flight tracking websites.
Twelve F-22 Raptors out of Langley AFB are en route to RAF Lakenheath as #TABOR51 (x4), #TABOR61 (x4), and #TABOR71 (x4), to be deployed to Muwaffaq Salti AB. #GOLD tankers are supporting them on Coronet East 083. pic.twitter.com/RjodtEagL1
— EISNspotter 🇮🇪 (@EISNspotter) June 18, 2025
F-22 and F-35 deployment
The first reports of the imminent deployment of F-22s and F-35s surfaced on Jun. 17, following the sudden and massive deployment of U.S. Air Force aerial refueling aircraft a day earlier. These reports came as U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth “directed the deployment of additional capabilities to the United States Central Command Area of Operations.”
Soon thereafter, reports surfaced about F-22 Raptors preparing to depart from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to deploy to the CENTCOM AOR. Langley is home of the 1st Fighter Wing and 192nd Fighter Wing, which oversee the operations of three F-22 squadrons.
Few hours later, it was reported that F-35s departed from RAF Lakenheath, supported by KC-135s from RAF Mildenhall and Morón Air Base. The choice of the 48th Fighter Wing’s F-35 makes sense as they would quickly arrive in the AOR and be available for tasking.
F-16 Fighting Falcons from Aviano Air Base, in Italy, were also moved to the CENTCOM AOR, although that was reportedly a planned deployment.
We previously mentioned that it might be possible the U.S. could decide to move to the area more assets, such as fighter jets, as deterrent against attacks on its bases in the Middle East. In fact, U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran against attacks against U.S. forces.
According to CBS News, former U.S. President Donald Trump has approved military plans for a potential strike against Iran, although he has yet to decide whether to act on them. Citing an intelligence source, the report states that Trump held back from launching the attacks in hopes that Tehran might abandon its nuclear ambitions. Among the possible targets is the Fordo underground uranium enrichment site.
The report comes amid growing speculation following remarks from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who dismissed Trump’s demands. Trump responded on Truth Social, saying The Wall Street Journal had “no idea what my thoughts are concerning Iran,” without directly addressing whether the strike plans had been approved.
We will update this article as new details become available.
