Three F-16C squadrons, two A-10C squadrons and one F-15E squadron at the moment are within the CENTCOM space of duty.

Air Forces Central (AFCENT) introduced the arrival on Oct.24, 2023 of the F-16Cs of the New Jersey Air Nationwide Guard’s 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron within the Central Command (CENTCOM) space of duty, bolstering U.S. posture to discourage additional aggression within the area. The “Jersey Devils” present versatile choices to coalition leaders directing air operations all through the Center East, in keeping with the official statement, together with contingency response capabilities and deterrence missions, whereas sustaining Operation Inherent Resolve’s Defeat-ISIS mission.

“We’re lucky to have the 119th EFS be a part of us in U.S. Central Command’s space of duty. Air Nationwide Guard Airmen deliver a wealth of information and expertise to our mission within the Center East,” stated U.S. Air Pressure Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, ninth Air Pressure (Air Forces Central) and Mixed Forces Air Part Command Commander. “The arrival of those Airmen strengthens our skill to help our allied, coalition, and regional companions as we work collectively to boost regional stability and safety.”

The 119th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron F-16 Combating Falcon plane have arrived within the U.S. Central Command space of duty to bolster U.S. posture to discourage additional aggression @USAFCENT pic.twitter.com/BaVakOd3uB

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) October 24, 2023

The F-16s have been reportedly trailing two KC-135 and two KC-46 tankers over the last leg of the deployment from Moron, Spain, to an undisclosed location within the Center East. Though not confirmed, they might have landed at Muwaffaq Salti/Al-Azraq Air Base in Jordan, one of many common deployment places for US plane within the space.

With this newest deployment, AFCENT at the moment operates three F-16C Combating Falcon squadrons, two A-10C Thunderbolt II squadrons and one F-15E Strike Eagle squadron alongside a number of strategic airlift, aerial refueling, and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platforms. Extra air belongings within the space are supplied by the Provider Air Wing 8 aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford, whereas the united statesDwight D. Eisenhower is on the best way to affix the Ford with its Provider Air Wing 3.

USAF’s tankers dragging F-16s to the Center East pic.twitter.com/NOnUiebQWt

— Itamilradar (@ItaMilRadar) October 24, 2023

Yesterday, extra KC-135 Stratotankers additionally arrived within the space, changing the KC-10 Extender tankers that returned to the USA following the kind’s final fight mission. It’s not clear if the deployment of the 119th EFS is a consequence of the recent attacks against US forces (at the least 13 thus far) within the space or if it was already deliberate. Officers are in truth involved a couple of attainable region-wide escalation of the battle and are engaged on extra power safety measures.

“We all know that the teams conducting these assaults are supported by the IRGC and the Iranian regime,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Pressure Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder stated throughout a briefing. “What we’re seeing is the prospect for extra important escalation in opposition to U.S. forces and personnel throughout the area, within the very close to time period, coming from Iranian proxy forces and in the end from Iran.”

In response, this previous weekend, the division deployed the united statesDwight D. Eisenhower service strike group to Centcom, and directed to the area a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery from Fort Bliss, Texas, and extra Patriot missile battalions from each Fort Liberty, North Carolina, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Gen. Ryder additionally talked about that an unspecified variety of models were notified prepare-to-deploy orders, nevertheless they haven’t but been tasked to go forward with the deployment.

Stefano D’Urso is a contract journalist and contributor to TheAviationist based mostly in Lecce, Italy. A graduate in Industral Engineering he is additionally finding out to realize a Grasp Diploma in Aerospace Engineering. Digital Warfare, Loitering Munitions and OSINT methods utilized to the world of army operations and present conflicts are amongst his areas of experience.