Squadron of F-35 Lightning IIs arrive in U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility > U.S. Central Command > News Article View

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U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrive in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

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U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron arrive in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi on a runway in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

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230725-F-EP422-1034

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi on a runway in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

An U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

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230725-F-EP422-1024

An U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron lands in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility July 25, 2023. U.S. Air Force F-35’s have deployed to the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility to help defend U.S. interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Sommers)

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –

As part of a pre-announced Department of Defense deployment, a squadron of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning IIs has arrived in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.

While deployed in support of Air Forces Central missions, the 421st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron from Hill AFB, Utah will help defend interests, promote regional security and safeguard freedom of navigation in the region. In coordination with our regional allies, partners and the U.S. Navy, the F-35’s will partner with A-10 and F-16s already in theater helping monitor the Strait of Hormuz.

The F-35’s increased capacity and capability will allow the U.S. to fly in contested airspace across the theater if required. This deployment demonstrates the U.S.’s commitment to ensure peace and security in the region, through maritime support and support to the coalition’s enduring mission to defeat ISIS in Syria. Due to operational security and host nation requests, we cannot discuss the length of the deployment or specific locations.