U.S. Redirects European-Based F-16s and F-35s to Middle East

The U.S. is sending Air Force F-16s from Germany and F-35 stealth jets from Britain to the Middle East, U.S. officials told The New York Times on July 19, 2026. The redeployment draws down European-based assets to reinforce CENTCOM as the Israel-Iran war continues. The F-35s' low-observable capabilities are suited to penetrating Iranian air defenses. The move follows combat losses of two U.S. warplanes over Iran in April.