U.S. Air Forces Central is launching a multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower in the CENTCOM AOR.
The U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), also known as Ninth Air Force, announced on Jan. 25, 2026, that it will be conducting a “multi-day readiness exercise to demonstrate the ability to deploy, disperse, and sustain combat airpower across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.” The exercise coincidentally happens as the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) arrived in the same AOR, joining the build up of U.S. forces.
The Exercise
In its press release, AFCENT describes that the exercise will be based on the now usual Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept. The assets and the bases involved were not mentioned, however the F-15Es recently arrived in the area could be likely involved.
A U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base in the Middle East, Jan. 18. The F-15’s presence enhances combat readiness and promotes regional security and stability. pic.twitter.com/QTXgOsOozV
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2026
“This exercise is designed to enhance asset and personnel dispersal capability, strengthen regional partnerships and prepare for flexible response execution throughout CENTCOM,” says AFCENT. “It will serve as a way for AFCENT to validate procedures for rapid movement of personnel and aircraft; dispersed operations at contingency locations; logistics sustainment with a minimal footprint; and integrated, multi-national command and control over a large area of operations.”
While the timing is notable, these exercise are now common, and stating the new exercise could be related to preparations for a possible attack on Iran would only be jumping to conclusions. It is also true, however, that training for such scenarios proved useful after Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, with aircraft dispersing to avoid retaliation strikes following the attack on the Iranian nuclear sites.
The exercise, whose duration has not been disclosed, will see forces deploying to “multiple contingency locations and validate rapid set-up, launch and recovery procedures with small, efficient support packages.” The command further said operations will be conducted “with host-nation approval and in close coordination with civil and military aviation authorities,” indicating that more nations across the CENTCOM AOR might be involved.
“Our Airmen are proving they can disperse, operate, and generate combat sorties under demanding conditions – safely, precisely and alongside our partners,” said Lt. Gen. Derek France, AFCENT commander and Combined Forces Air Component commander for CENTCOM. “This is about upholding our commitment to maintaining combat-ready Airmen and the disciplined execution required to keep airpower available when and where it’s needed.”
Lincoln CSG Arrives
Following the rising tensions after the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has been retasked from operational cruise in the Indo-Pacific to quickly move to the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR). The CSG is now finally in the Middle East, with CENTCOM saying it “is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability.”
Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) perform routine maintenance as the aircraft carrier sails in the Indian Ocean, Jan. 26. The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability. pic.twitter.com/dkuN946hce
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 26, 2026
Captions of recent photos from the USS Lincoln mention the carrier is currently in the Indian Ocean, and it is currently unclear if it will move further near Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that a “massive fleet” was enroute to the area “just in case,” further adding “maybe we won’t have to use it.”
Together with the USS Lincoln are Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, embarked on the carrier, and destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112). CVW 9 consists of eight squadrons flying F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks.
What Will Happen?
The intentions of the U.S. are still unclear, with the military seemingly preparing for every possibility while waiting for a final decision. Trump earlier threatened military action if Iran went trough with its plans for mass executions of protesters, although that plan was apparently put on hold after the President said Iran halted the execution of 800 prisoners.
Either way, he also said that Operation Midnight Hammer would “look like peanuts” if he were to give the green light to a new attack. For context, during the June 2025 operation, more than 125 aircraft, including 7 B-2 stealth bombers, snuck into Iran to drop 14 GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) weapons, plus other weapons on additional targets to pave the way for the bombers.
Israeli media claimed that the U.S. and Israel “have reached an understanding to carry out fast and powerful strikes against Iran, if needed,” following a meeting of CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper with senior Israeli officials. Iranian officials said the country “will give a comprehensive and regrettable response to any aggression.”
According to a summary of the meeting last night between the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, and Israeli Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, along with other senior officials, published by the Israeli right-wing media outlet Channel 14:
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— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 25, 2026
Regional partners, including the United Arab Emirates, also stated they will not allow their airspace or territorial waters to be used to launch or support an attack on Iran. The UAE hosts critical U.S. bases, such as Al Dhafra Air Base, a major hub for U.S. Air Force operations, and Jebel Ali Port, the U.S. Navy busiest port in the region used for logistics and refueling for U.S. Navy warships.
UAE Reaffirms Commitment to Not Allowing Its Airspace, Territory or Waters to Be Used in Any Military Actions Against Iran
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ commitment to not allowing its airspace, territory, or waters to be used in…
— Afra Al Hameli (@AfraMalHameli) January 26, 2026
