The U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT), also called Ninth Air Power, introduced on Jan. 25, 2026, that it will likely be conducting a “multi-day readiness train to show the power to deploy, disperse, and maintain fight airpower throughout the U.S. Central Command space of accountability.” The train coincidentally occurs because the Service Strike Group (CSG) of the usAbraham Lincoln (CVN 72) arrived in the identical AOR, becoming a member of the construct up of U.S. forces.
The Train
In its press launch, AFCENT describes that the train will probably be based mostly on the now normal Agile Fight Employment (ACE) idea. The belongings and the bases concerned weren’t talked about, nevertheless the F-15Es just lately arrived within the space might be probably concerned.
A U.S. Air Power F-15E Strike Eagle assigned to the 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands at a base within the Center East, Jan. 18. The F-15’s presence enhances fight readiness and promotes regional safety and stability. pic.twitter.com/QTXgOsOozV
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 20, 2026
“This train is designed to reinforce asset and personnel dispersal functionality, strengthen regional partnerships and put together for versatile response execution all through CENTCOM,” says AFCENT. “It is going to function a means for AFCENT to validate procedures for fast motion of personnel and plane; dispersed operations at contingency places; logistics sustainment with a minimal footprint; and built-in, multi-national command and management over a big space of operations.”
Whereas the timing is notable, these train at the moment are frequent, and stating the brand new train might be associated to preparations for a potential assault on Iran would solely be leaping to conclusions. It’s also true, nevertheless, that coaching for such situations proved helpful after Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, with plane dispersing to keep away from retaliation strikes following the assault on the Iranian nuclear websites.
The train, whose period has not been disclosed, will see forces deploying to “a number of contingency places and validate fast set-up, launch and restoration procedures with small, environment friendly assist packages.” The command additional mentioned operations will probably be carried out “with host-nation approval and in shut coordination with civil and army aviation authorities,” indicating that extra nations throughout the CENTCOM AOR is likely to be concerned.
“Our Airmen are proving they will disperse, function, and generate fight sorties below demanding situations – safely, exactly and alongside our companions,” mentioned Lt. Gen. Derek France, AFCENT commander and Mixed Forces Air Part commander for CENTCOM. “That is about upholding our dedication to sustaining combat-ready Airmen and the disciplined execution required to maintain airpower out there when and the place it’s wanted.”
Lincoln CSG Arrives
Following the rising tensions after the violent crackdown on protests in Iran, the usAbraham Lincoln (CVN 72) Service Strike Group (CSG) has been retasked from operational cruise within the Indo-Pacific to shortly transfer to the CENTCOM Space of Accountability (AOR). The CSG is now lastly within the Center East, with CENTCOM saying it “is at the moment deployed to the Center East to advertise regional safety and stability.”
Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) carry out routine upkeep because the plane provider sails within the Indian Ocean, Jan. 26. The Abraham Lincoln Service Strike Group is at the moment deployed to the Center East to advertise regional safety and stability. pic.twitter.com/dkuN946hce
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 26, 2026
Captions of latest images from the usLincoln point out the provider is at the moment within the Indian Ocean, and it’s at the moment unclear if it should transfer additional close to Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned final week {that a} “huge fleet” was enroute to the world “simply in case,” additional including “perhaps we gained’t have to make use of it.”
Along with the usLincoln are Service Air Wing (CVW) 9, launched into the provider, and destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112). CVW 9 consists of eight squadrons flying F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Tremendous Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, CMV-22B Ospreys and MH-60R/S Sea Hawks.
What Will Occur?
The intentions of the U.S. are nonetheless unclear, with the army seemingly getting ready for each chance whereas ready for a ultimate resolution. Trump earlier threatened army motion if Iran went trough with its plans for mass executions of protesters, though that plan was apparently placed on maintain after the President mentioned Iran halted the execution of 800 prisoners.
Both means, he additionally mentioned that Operation Midnight Hammer would “appear like peanuts” if he had been to present the inexperienced mild to a brand new assault. For context, in the course of the June 2025 operation, greater than 125 plane, together with 7 B-2 stealth bombers, snuck into Iran to drop 14 GBU-57 Large Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) weapons, plus different weapons on further targets to pave the way in which for the bombers.
Israeli media claimed that the U.S. and Israel “have reached an understanding to hold out quick and highly effective strikes in opposition to Iran, if wanted,” following a gathering of CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper with senior Israeli officers. Iranian officers mentioned the nation “will give a complete and regrettable response to any aggression.”
In accordance with a abstract of the assembly final night time between the Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, and Israeli Chief of Common Employees Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, together with different senior officers, revealed by the Israeli right-wing media outlet Channel 14:
-…
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) January 25, 2026
Regional companions, together with the United Arab Emirates, additionally said they won’t permit their airspace or territorial waters for use to launch or assist an assault on Iran. The UAE hosts vital U.S. bases, equivalent to Al Dhafra Air Base, a serious hub for U.S. Air Power operations, and Jebel Ali Port, the U.S. Navy busiest port within the area used for logistics and refueling for U.S. Navy warships.
UAE Reaffirms Dedication to Not Permitting Its Airspace, Territory or Waters to Be Utilized in Any Army Actions Towards Iran
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs (MoFA) has reaffirmed the United Arab Emirates’ dedication to not permitting its airspace, territory, or waters for use in…
— Afra Al Hameli (@AfraMalHameli) January 26, 2026
