핵심요약

• 미국은 F-16 전투기 및 F-35 전투기를 중동에 배치하고 있습니다.
• 배치된 항공기에는 독일과 영국 기지의 항공기들이 포함됩니다.
• 미국의 군사 활동은 호르무즈 해협 분쟁 이후 더욱 강화되었습니다.
• 과거 B-52, F-22, F-15E 등 다양한 항공기가 중동에 배치된 바 있습니다.

도입

본 기사는 이란과의 전쟁이 격화됨에 따라 미국이 중동 지역에 F-16 및 F-35 전투기 등 항공 전력을 배치하는 상황을 다룹니다. 이는 지정학적 긴장이 고조될 때 미국이 군사적 개입을 통해 지역 안보를 확보하려는 전략적 움직임을 보여줍니다. 투자자들은 이러한 군사적 움직임이 에너지 시장의 변동성 및 지정학적 리스크에 미치는 영향을 면밀히 분석해야 합니다.

본문 1: 군사적 전력 이동과 지정학적 리스크

미국이 F-16과 F-35 전투기를 중동에 배치하는 것은 단순한 군사 훈련을 넘어선 지정학적 메시지를 담고 있습니다. 독일과 영국에 위치한 기지에서 파견된 항공기들은 이란과의 대립 구도에서 미국의 군사적 의지를 시각적으로 표현합니다. 이는 호르무즈 해협을 둘러싼 갈등이 군사적 충돌로 이어질 가능성을 높이며, 지역 내 불안정성을 증폭시킬 수 있습니다. 이러한 전력 배치는 지역 국가들에게 미국의 개입 가능성을 인식하게 하여 외교적 협상에 영향을 미치고, 결과적으로 글로벌 에너지 공급망에 대한 리스크 프리미엄을 증가시키는 요인으로 작용합니다. 특히, 항공유를 운반하는 급유기까지 함께 배치된 것은 군사 작전 수행 능력의 보장이라는 점을 강조하며, 군사적 우위를 확보하려는 의도가 명확하게 드러납니다.

본문 2: 군사적 활동의 역동성과 자산 시장 영향

미국이 이란에 대한 공습 및 군사 시설 타격을 지속해 온 것은 군사적 긴장 상태가 일시적인 휴전 상태가 아님을 보여줍니다. 과거 B-52 스트라토포트레서나 F-22 랩터와 같은 고가치 자산들이 중동에 배치되었다가 귀환한 사례는 미국의 군사 전략이 유연하게 조정되고 있음을 나타냅니다. 이러한 항공 자산의 이동과 재배치는 국방 예산의 우선순위와 실제 작전 수행 능력 간의 연관성을 보여줍니다. 이러한 군사적 역동성은 국제 유가와 같은 원자재 시장의 변동성에 직접적인 영향을 미치며, 이는 에너지 관련 기업들의 실적 예측에 불확실성을 더합니다. 군사적 긴장이 지속될수록 지정학적 리스크가 자산 시장에 반영되어 투자 심리가 위축될 가능성이 높습니다.

본문 3: 장기적 전망과 경제적 파급 효과

장기적으로 볼 때, 중동 지역의 군사적 긴장이 완화되기 위해서는 외교적 해결이 필수적입니다. 군사적 개입은 단기적인 충돌을 막을 수는 있으나, 장기적인 안정과 경제적 번영을 위해서는 지속적인 대화와 협력이 필요합니다. 미국이 중동에 대한 군사적 존재감을 유지하는 것은 동맹국들과의 관계를 관리하고 국제 질서를 재정립하는 데 중요한 역할을 합니다. 따라서 향후 시장은 군사적 충돌의 위험과 외교적 해결의 가능성 사이의 균형을 평가할 것입니다. 군사적 자원의 지속적인 배치는 장기적인 안보 비용과 경제적 기회 비용을 고려해야 할 것입니다.

결론

미국의 중동 군사 전력 배치는 지정학적 갈등이 심화됨에 따라 군사적 압박을 통한 외교적 목표 달성을 시도하는 전략으로 해석됩니다. 향후 시장은 군사적 충돌의 위험도와 외교적 해결의 가능성이라는 두 가지 축을 중심으로 움직일 것입니다. 투자자들은 이러한 지정학적 변동성이 에너지 가격과 글로벌 자산 시장에 미치는 영향을 지속적으로 모니터링하며 신중한 접근이 필요합니다. 향후 군사적 상황의 변화에 따라 시장의 방향성이 결정될 가능성이 높습니다.

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원문 링크: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxOcHpQRzFZSWhyWUcxOG1EZ2NweHJ1N0szNVYwdG4xalh2YjRZT1NpZ2txYWxWVTBqcHZWbk1SVmt3c0I5clc0N2czWE53cnZjUTlQcXlrR1IzSnlMV3RsVnVWTTBqYU11RlJLdzExSElGV1V6d3Y3X1hyV1VxNmtqTVFyRTk?oc=5

US Deploying F-16s and F-35s to Middle East as Iran War Heats Back Up - Air & Space Forces Magazine

Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org

As the U.S. war with Iran intensifies, the Pentagon is rushing more warplanes to the region, deploying Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon s and F-35 Lightning II fighters to the Middle East, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine. Among the warplanes being sent are F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and F-35s from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. Aerial refueling tankers are also headed toward the region . The Trump administration has ratcheted up the air campaign against Iran since a ceasefire between the two sides collapsed over disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have since hit infrastructure, including multiple bridges and other targets inside Iran. The U.S. and Iran had been trading blows for weeks even during the ceasefire—the U.S. attacking military sites along the coast of Iran and Iran firing at U.S. bases in the Gulf and commercial ships. But the U.S. had been sending home airpower it had deployed starting in January and February for Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Half a dozen B-52 H Stratofortresses, which were deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for strikes on Iran, returned home in recent weeks, while some B-1B Lancer s remained at the base. In the past few weeks, F-22 Raptor s and F-15E Strike Eagles fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes also returned to their home bases after being deployed to the Middle East, though many Air Force and Navy warplanes remained in the region. F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

Among the warplanes being sent are F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, and F-35s from the 48th Fighter Wing at RAF Lakenheath, U.K. Aerial refueling tankers are also headed toward the region . The Trump administration has ratcheted up the air campaign against Iran since a ceasefire between the two sides collapsed over disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have since hit infrastructure, including multiple bridges and other targets inside Iran. The U.S. and Iran had been trading blows for weeks even during the ceasefire—the U.S. attacking military sites along the coast of Iran and Iran firing at U.S. bases in the Gulf and commercial ships. But the U.S. had been sending home airpower it had deployed starting in January and February for Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Half a dozen B-52 H Stratofortresses, which were deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for strikes on Iran, returned home in recent weeks, while some B-1B Lancer s remained at the base. In the past few weeks, F-22 Raptor s and F-15E Strike Eagles fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes also returned to their home bases after being deployed to the Middle East, though many Air Force and Navy warplanes remained in the region. F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

Aerial refueling tankers are also headed toward the region . The Trump administration has ratcheted up the air campaign against Iran since a ceasefire between the two sides collapsed over disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have since hit infrastructure, including multiple bridges and other targets inside Iran. The U.S. and Iran had been trading blows for weeks even during the ceasefire—the U.S. attacking military sites along the coast of Iran and Iran firing at U.S. bases in the Gulf and commercial ships. But the U.S. had been sending home airpower it had deployed starting in January and February for Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Half a dozen B-52 H Stratofortresses, which were deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for strikes on Iran, returned home in recent weeks, while some B-1B Lancer s remained at the base. In the past few weeks, F-22 Raptor s and F-15E Strike Eagles fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes also returned to their home bases after being deployed to the Middle East, though many Air Force and Navy warplanes remained in the region. F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

The Trump administration has ratcheted up the air campaign against Iran since a ceasefire between the two sides collapsed over disputes over the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. forces have since hit infrastructure, including multiple bridges and other targets inside Iran. The U.S. and Iran had been trading blows for weeks even during the ceasefire—the U.S. attacking military sites along the coast of Iran and Iran firing at U.S. bases in the Gulf and commercial ships. But the U.S. had been sending home airpower it had deployed starting in January and February for Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Half a dozen B-52 H Stratofortresses, which were deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for strikes on Iran, returned home in recent weeks, while some B-1B Lancer s remained at the base. In the past few weeks, F-22 Raptor s and F-15E Strike Eagles fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes also returned to their home bases after being deployed to the Middle East, though many Air Force and Navy warplanes remained in the region. F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

The U.S. and Iran had been trading blows for weeks even during the ceasefire—the U.S. attacking military sites along the coast of Iran and Iran firing at U.S. bases in the Gulf and commercial ships. But the U.S. had been sending home airpower it had deployed starting in January and February for Operation Epic Fury against Iran. Half a dozen B-52 H Stratofortresses, which were deployed to RAF Fairford, U.K., for strikes on Iran, returned home in recent weeks, while some B-1B Lancer s remained at the base. In the past few weeks, F-22 Raptor s and F-15E Strike Eagles fighters, and A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes also returned to their home bases after being deployed to the Middle East, though many Air Force and Navy warplanes remained in the region. F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

F-16s from the 480th Fighter Squadron had only recently returned to Germany. But just a few weeks after coming home, the unit’s “Wild Weasels,” which specialize in the suppression of enemy air defenses, are headed back to the Middle East. The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

The U.S. has also reimposed a military blockade of Iranian ports and is now conducting airstrikes against a broader set of targets inside Iran. A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the 48th Fighter Wing departs for Ramstein Flag 26 at RAF Lakenheath, U.K., June 3, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Ashley Talley The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

The U.S. has carried out seven straight days of airstrikes, the biggest flare-up in the conflict since a memorandum of understanding between the two countries was signed in June. U.S. Central Command said in a statement July 18 that the airstrikes are designed to “continue degrading Iranian military capabilities.” The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

The fresh arrival of U.S. warplanes suggest the war could expand as the Trump administration seeks to pressure the Iranian regime into agreeing to another deal. A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 480th Fighter Squadron takes flight in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, March 2, 2026. U.S. Air Force photo Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

Iran has responded with more force of its own. Kuwait said a power and water desalination plant was attacked , a dramatic escalation aimed at civilian infrastructure. Iran has also attacked Qatar and Oman, countries it hit earlier in the conflict, which began Feb. 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. Since a ceasefire deal was reached in April after six weeks of the most intense air campaign in the Middle East in a generation, Iran had mostly focused its periodic attacks on U.S. bases in the region, mainly in Bahrain and Kuwait, in response to specific flare-ups, rather than the wider attacks seen in recent days. “We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

“We’re still in the operation,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said in an interview with Air & Space Forces Magazine on July 17 when asked about USAF operations in the Middle East. He declined to comment on specific actions, platforms, or locations. “The Airmen that were involved and are still involved with those operations, they’re doing what we trained them to do, and they’re doing it extremely well. The Airmen have been under fire the entire time, and yet it hasn’t slowed us down at employing airpower. So as the base have had attacks, they’ve repaired the base, and they’ve kept moving.” Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org Air National Security

Source: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMihAFBVV95cUxOcHpQRzFZSWhyWUcxOG1EZ2NweHJ1N0szNVYwdG4xalh2YjRZT1NpZ2txYWxWVTBqcHZWbk1SVmt3c0I5clc0N2czWE53cnZjUTlQcXlrR1IzSnlMV3RsVnVWTTBqYU11RlJLdzExSElGV1V6d3Y3X1hyV1VxNmtqTVFyRTk?oc=5