World · 27 February 2026
U.S. F-22s land in Israel after Gulf allies deny airspace
Photo by Timothy Holmes on Unsplash
Washington has repositioned nearly a dozen F-22 Raptors to Israel’s Ovda facility, an unprecedented basing shift triggered by shifting Gulf alliances. With Saudi and Emirati corridors currently restricted for offensive sorties, the U.S. is diversifying its tactical footprint to ensure Mediterranean readiness. This move transforms the Israeli landscape into a primary American strike hub, fortifying a joint defensive shield designed to deter regional escalation following recent friction with Tehran and the collapse of traditional airspace access.
Reported by The Wall Street Journal · How we write briefs