The US Air Force has returned some of the F-22 Raptor stealth fighters stationed in Israel for over six months to Fairford Air Base in Britain, according to Israeli journalist Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom). The aircraft had been operating from Ovda Air Base, where American forces remain.
At 13:45 Jerusalem today, The Zioneer reported that 12 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters had departed Ovda Airbase, en route to the United States via the United Kingdom. Now, at 16:37 Jerusalem, Israeli journalist Ariel Kahana (Israel Hayom) reports that some of the aircraft have been returned to Fairford Air Base in Britain, rather than continuing to the US. The exact number of aircraft involved has not been disclosed, and the Pentagon has not officially commented. The aircraft had been stationed at Ovda for over six months, according to Kahana, longer than the five months reported earlier.
The Zioneer’s initial reports at 13:45 Jerusalem, citing American media and Israeli journalist Nir Dvori (N12), stated that 12 F-22s had departed, marking the first withdrawal of US fighter jets from Israel since Operation Roaring Lion in February 2026. The reports also noted that the squadron had been stationed in Israel for five months and had participated in joint strikes in Iran. The shift from a reported 12 aircraft to an unspecified number of 'some' aircraft, and from five months to over six months, reflects evolving information as the story develops.
The F-22 withdrawal is part of a broader reduction of US military assets in the region, as The Zioneer has reported. On July 2, the US Air Force withdrew all B-52 bombers from Britain, returning them to the United States. Earlier, on June 25, 15 US refueling aircraft departed Ben Gurion Airport for regional bases, including Al Udeid in Qatar. Additional refueling assets have been repositioned to the UAE, as reported on June 21.
It remains unclear whether the aircraft returned to Fairford will remain there or continue to the United States. The Pentagon has not confirmed the relocation, and the number of F-22s still at Ovda is unknown. The status of the remaining US forces at Ovda, which Kahana says are still present, has not been independently verified.
6 developments
- DevelopingUS Air Force returning all B-52 bombers from Britain to US, reports say
- DevelopingUS refueling aircraft take off from Israel, security analyst reports
- StrongSatellite images show US tankers returning to Qatar base, suggesting no imminent military action
- Developing15 US refueling aircraft leave Ben Gurion, transfer to regional bases
Source and signal
- Internal intake