Deployed to Israel since February, F-22 Raptors from the first Fighter Wing at Langley AFB transited in direction of residence with an uncommon visit RAF Fairford over the weekend.
Twelve 1st FW Raptors in complete are considered a part of the package deal heading residence. Ten jets made it to RAF Fairford on Jul. 10, 2026, with 9 then departing on Jul. 14. The 2 remaining plane that didn’t make it to Fairford are rumored to have stopped alongside the way in which – presumably for technical causes – at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, although that is unconfirmed.
We reported on the deployment of those F-22s in February, alongside different strikes in direction of the Center East which have been in anticipation of the then-unannounced Operation Epic Fury. After passing by means of RAF Lakenheath, the jets have been stabled at Ovda Airbase, Israel, for the battle.
One of many first F-22s to taxi out at this time at RAF Fairford, numerous warmth coming from that Raptor. pic.twitter.com/Sx3esFN8UJ
— Saint1 (@Saint1Mil) July 13, 2026
Unusually, on their manner again by means of, the F-22s transited by means of the Gloucestershire base of RAF Fairford. Fairford has been used extensively throughout Epic Fury, offering a ahead base for B-1B Lancer and B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers. The B-1s stay at Fairford, although the B-52s departed for residence earlier this month when the ceasefire was nonetheless formally holding.
2 of two: FF tails. pic.twitter.com/UPjCuGmD7O
— Saint1 (@Saint1Mil) July 10, 2026
Fighter stopovers on the base are unusual – Lakenheath, itself a fighter base, is a way more frequent location, with another actions often going by means of Glasgow Prestwick Airport. F-15E Strike Eagles from Lakenheath’s forty eighth Fighter Wing notably additionally themselves returned residence in latest weeks, embellished with a wide range of nostril artworks.
Our good friend, who goes by Saint1 on X/Twitter, was at Fairford for each the arrival and departure of the F-22s and captured footage on each events.
The Raptors used the Coronet callsign TREND for each legs of the journey. The ten jets that arrived have been 05-4099, 05-4104, 08-4154, 08-4158, 08-4168, 08-4171, 09-4175, 09-4177, 09-4187, and 10-4194. 05-4104 is the only jet nonetheless on the deck at Fairford, whereas 08-4152 and 09-4173 seem like the jets nonetheless someplace downrange – both nonetheless in Israel or at an intermediate base like Sigonella.
Whereas these jets head again towards the U.S., the state of affairs within the Center East is deteriorating quickly. The ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran has now formally been declared over, and the U.S. has resumed day by day assaults towards Iranian targets. Notably, this included a strike towards the Bandar Abbas Naval Base close to the Strait of Hormuz using unmanned floor vessels (USVs) in a one-way assault function.
Yesterday, utilizing a number of one-way assault floor drones, CENTCOM forces efficiently struck a submarine and ship upkeep facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned floor vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the primary time American forces have employed sea… pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026
Some have requested why the Raptors would head residence right now, although it needs to be thought of that any plane and any squadron has a finite period of time they will moderately be ahead deployed whereas sustaining a excessive stage of operational functionality. The resumption of hostile motion towards Iran will even take a really totally different method in comparison with the opening days of Operation Epic Fury – a lot of the air defence risk has already been neutralised, with out sufficient time to completely regenerate, and excessive finish ‘beautiful’ capabilities just like the extremely stealthy F-22 is likely to be decrease on the record of required property.
Certainly, within the later levels of the struggle, we noticed extra susceptible plane sorts just like the A-10 Thunderbolt II getting nearer and nearer to the frontlines after beforehand being relegated to concentrating on Iranian proxies in Iran and Syria.
Even with the return of the first Fighter Wing’s F-22s, the U.S. maintains a considerably heightened presence of property throughout the Center East together with fourth and fifth era fighters, the Abraham Lincoln and George H. W. Bush service strike teams (CSGs), and the Boxer amphibious prepared group (ARG).
President Trump formally notified Congress on Jul. 10 that hostilities with Iran had resumed. Any efforts since to renew peace talks have appeared to fail.
Information w/ @AndrewDesiderio: Trump formally notified Congress of the resumption of army actions towards Iran on July 10 beneath the struggle powers decision.
Dems say the struggle is illegitimate and the president can’t restart the 60-day clock for army motion. pic.twitter.com/SpFjBiYMx0
— Anthony Adragna (@AnthonyAdragna) July 13, 2026
He wrote: “These strikes are restricted, measured, deliberate, and executed in a fashion designed to minmize civilian casualties. They’re centered on army capabilities posing a risk to america Armed Forces within the area, defending america homeland, advancing United States nationwide pursuits, securing secure passage of economic vessels by means of the Strait of Hormuz, and defending our regional allies and companions.”
Many due to our good friend @Saint1mil for letting us use his footage as an instance this text. You’ll find extra footage on his YouTube channel.
