By G Murphy Donovan
“As of mid-February 2026, amid heightened tensions with Iran (including nuclear talks and regional pressures), the US maintains a significant military buildup in/near the Persian Gulf/Arabian Sea under CENTCOM.
US NavyFighters (primarily carrier-based):
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Carrier Strike Group is in the region (Arabian Sea, off Oman coast, ~700km from Iran), carrying ~90 aircraft including F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, and support types (e.g., E-2 Hawkeyes, MH-60 helicopters). It’s been operating there since late January, with escorts including destroyers like USS Frank E. Petersen Jr., USS Michael Murphy, and USS Spruance.
- Additional destroyers (e.g., USS McFaul, USS Mitscher) operate in the Persian Gulf/Strait of Hormuz area for defense and missile strikes.
- Littoral combat ships (e.g., USS Canberra, USS Tulsa, USS Santa Barbara) are in the Persian Gulf for near-shore ops.
- The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest carrier, is en route from the Caribbean (via Atlantic/Gibraltar), redeployed mid-February to join the Lincoln group. It could arrive in/near the region within the next 1–3 weeks (potentially by late February/early March), adding more advanced air wing capacity (F/A-18s and likely F-35Cs).
USAF Fighters (land-based):
- Significant surge of USAF fighters to Middle East bases (e.g., Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan, Al Udeid in Qatar, others in region): Reports indicate dozens repositioned recently, including F-15E Strike Eagles (from UK bases like RAF Lakenheath), F-35As (up to 18+ from Europe), F-22 Raptors (transiting via UK en route), F-16s, plus tankers and support aircraft.
- Over 50 fighters (mix of F-35, F-22, F-16, F-15) moved in recent days/weeks for rapid reinforcement, enabling extended strike options if needed.
This dual-carrier posture (one in place, one inbound) plus land-based airpower represents a major deterrent/show of force, with assets positioned for maritime security, potential strikes, or escalation control.”
No major changes reported in the last 24 hours beyond ongoing transits. Combined task force asserts should be off shore in the Gulf for any contingency by late February.
Hat tip to @grok and @elonmusk
