The US Air Force deployed a squadron of F-22 Raptor stealth fighters to Ovda Air Base in southern Israel in late February 2026, marking the first time American combat jets have been stationed on Israeli soil. Between 10 and 12 aircraft conducted strike missions against Iranian targets before being withdrawn in early July 2026, coinciding with a fresh wave of Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory. This deployment altered the regional strategic calculus by reducing flight time to approximately 90 minutes from Tehran, compressing Iranian decision time. No confirmed replacement force has been positioned at Ovda following the withdrawal. Defense and aerospace stocks, particularly Lockheed Martin which builds the F-22 and Raytheon which supplies munitions, radar systems and electronic warfare suites, are expected to see near-term gains.
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