Last week, the United States announced the deployment of fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighters to the Persian Gulf. The day before, the planes arrived in the Middle East.
Initially, the United States planned to build up forces in the region against the backdrop of Iran’s aggressive actions, which tried to seize oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. However, while the planes were flying from the United States to the Middle East, a Russian Su-35 fighter jet managed to damage an American MQ-9 Reaper drone.
In a statement, the U.S. Air Force Central said that aircraft from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron have arrived in the Middle East. It is stationed at Hill, Utah.
The F-35 Lightning II will help protect U.S. interests and contribute to regional security and freedom of navigation in the region. The fifth-generation fighters will operate in conjunction with the F-16 Fighting Falcon and A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Last week, the United States announced that it would send F-35s to the region along with the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer. Prior to that, fourth-generation F-16 fighters arrived there, one of which shot down three J-21 Jastreb aircraft over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1994. The Pentagon also announced the deployment of amphibious assault ships USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall to the region.
