JBER airmen deploy to Middle East in hopes to deter aggression

Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) have deployed to the Middle East as part of the United States' hope to deter aggression.

JBER officials confirmed to the Frontiersman that 3rd Wing has deployed F-22 Raptors to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

“We were able to safely project our forces and get our 90th Fighter Squadron teammates into theater to improve force protection in support of Israel’s defense and to demonstrate that the U.S. is prepared to respond to contingencies anytime and anywhere,” Public Affairs Senior Airmen Jayden “Michael” Peña said.

The deployment of the F-22s is part of a larger response from the United States in response to threats from Iran and Hezbollah following the targeted killings of Hezbollah and Hamas figures in Beirut and Tehran. Secretary Defense Lloyd Austin also ordered the move of USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, equipped with F-35C fighters, and the submarine, USS Georgia, to the area.

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday that these moves are designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel, and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to a wide variety of contingencies.

"No one wants to see escalation," Ryder said. "No one wants to see a wider, regional conflict. So, hopefully, we don't find ourselves in a situation of having to employ those capabilities. But if we need to in the defense of Israel, we will."

According to U.S. Air Force, the F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before detection. The deployment comes almost 16 years after the F-22 Raptors arrived at the 3rd Wing at the then-Elmendorf Air Force base on Aug. 8, 2007.

“This rapid deployment highlights the readiness and expertise of our Airmen to generate airpower and respond to crises at a moment’s notice. This is what we train for, and we are proud of how Team JBER came together to put airpower on display and project our forces forward,” Peña said.