US Military Assets Exit Asia
That sucking sound is Iran
WASHINGTON DC 30MAY2026
(U) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
As of today’s date, the Iran war has drawn heavily on forces and munitions previously assigned to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM). The redeployments span carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, Marine expeditionary units, missile defense batteries, aerial refueling assets, and specialized intelligence aircraft — leaving the Western Pacific with a series of compounding capability gaps across every warfighting domain. The issue is not a single missing platform; it is the concurrent diversion of carrier, amphibious, missile-defense, ISR, and refueling capacity that would be indispensable in any Taiwan contingency.[9][13]
(U) NAVAL AND AMPHIBIOUS FORCES
At sea, the diversion cut across carrier aviation, surface escorts, amphibious lift, and mine warfare:
Carrier strike group. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Carrier Strike Group departed the South China Sea in January 2026, accompanied by USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), USS Spruance (DDG-111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112).[1][2]
No available carrier for ~10 weeks. The USS George Washington (CVN-73), the only forward-deployed carrier at Yokosuka, Japan, simultaneously entered a maintenance availability period and did not get underway again until May 10 — leaving the Western Pacific without a single operationally available aircraft carrier for approximately ten weeks.[3][4]
Surface combatants. The draw extended beyond the carrier force: the Atlantic Council assessed that about one-third of the available Arleigh Burke destroyer inventory was committed to Operation Epic Fury.[9]
Amphibious ready group and MEU. The USS Tripoli (LHA-7) Amphibious Ready Group, homeported in Sasebo, Japan, departed for the Arabian Sea in mid-March with USS New Orleans (LPD-19) and USS Rushmore (LSD-47), taking with it the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit — INDOPACOM’s only forward-deployed MEU and the Pacific Fleet’s sole rapid amphibious response force.[5][6]
Second ARG diverted. The USS Boxer (LHD-4) Amphibious Ready Group was simultaneously moving toward the region; open-source tracking confirmed USS Portland (LPD-27) and USS Comstock (LSD-45) as part of that group, meaning the diversion affected a larger share of amphibious lift and escort capacity than narrower summaries suggest.[9]
No replacement. No replacement MEU has arrived in Okinawa. Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith publicly acknowledged the resulting Indo-Pacific gap on May 18, 2026.[7][8]
Mine countermeasures. Two of the four Avenger-class mine countermeasure ships based at Sasebo — USS Pioneer (MCM-9) and USS Chief (MCM-14) — are en route to the Middle East, degrading the theater’s ability to counter any Chinese or North Korean mining operations.[9]
(U) GROUND-BASED MISSILE DEFENSE
On the ground, South Korea’s missile defense posture has been critically weakened:
THAAD interceptors. All 48 interceptor missiles from the peninsula’s sole THAAD battery at Seongju — the full loaded capacity of its six launchers — were transferred to the Middle East, leaving the launchers and AN/TPY-2 radar in place but with no confirmed ready interceptors, effectively stripping the peninsula of its only high-altitude ballistic missile defense layer against North Korean ICBMs and medium-range ballistic missiles.[10][11][12][13]
Patriot batteries. Multiple Patriot missile batteries were simultaneously consolidated at Osan Air Base for transfer, and more than 1,200 Patriot interceptors have been expended in theater overall — further eroding the layered air defense architecture that protects U.S. and allied forces on the Korean Peninsula.[14][15]
(U) AIR, ISR, AND REFUELING
In the air, the gaps are equally consequential:
E-3 Sentry AWACS. The Atlantic Council estimated that 63 to 71 percent of the available E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet was committed to Operation Epic Fury, one of which was destroyed on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base by an Iranian drone strike on March 27, 2026, with no replacement platform available until 2028.[9][17]
RC-135S Cobra Ball. The three RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft that provide the only U.S. capability for real-time optical and radiometric tracking of ballistic missile launches — essential for monitoring North Korean tests — have at least one airframe committed to the Iran theater.[18][19]
RC-135U Combat Sent. The RC-135U Combat Sent, of which only two exist in the entire U.S. inventory, has been deployed to map Iranian air defense architectures, leaving the Pacific without its primary platform for characterizing Chinese and North Korean radar and surface-to-air missile networks.[20][21]
WC-135R Constant Phoenix. The WC-135R Constant Phoenix nuclear sniffer — one of only two aircraft capable of atmospheric sampling for radioactive isotopes — has been forward-deployed to the Middle East, removing the United States’ ability to rapidly detect and characterize a North Korean nuclear test.[22][23]
Other specialty enablers. Open reporting confirms the additional employment of scarce specialty platforms in the Iran theater, including EC-130H Compass Call, EA-37B, E-2D, U-2, and E-11A — precisely the kinds of low-density, high-demand enablers a Taiwan fight would require on day one.[19][20]
Aerial refueling. Compounding all of this, dozens of KC-135 and KC-46 tankers have been surged into the CENTCOM theater, directly constraining the long-range strike and patrol sorties — B-52s, P-8 Poseidons, and carrier-based aircraft — that constitute the backbone of day-to-day deterrence and reconnaissance in the Pacific.[24][25]
(U) STRATEGIC IMPLICATION
The cumulative strategic implication is direct. Even if Washington wanted to surge decisive force into a Taiwan contingency during or immediately after the Trump-Xi summit, the record from Operation Epic Fury shows that a substantial share of the most relevant naval, amphibious, missile-defense, airborne warning, and refueling capacity was already committed elsewhere.[9][13] The U.S. problem is not simply political will; it is that the force actually available for immediate Indo-Pacific combat operations has been depleted enough to call into question whether the United States could rapidly defend Taiwan at the level its strategy presumes.[7][9]
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(U) ANNEX: U.S. INDO-PACIFIC FORCES AND MUNITIONS TRANSFERRED TO THE IRAN WAR (OPERATION EPIC FURY)
U.S. Navy
Carrier Strike Groups
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and embarked air wing — departed South China Sea/Western Pacific, January 2026[1][2]
USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) — escort destroyer, Abraham Lincoln CSG[3]
USS Spruance (DDG-111) — escort destroyer, Abraham Lincoln CSG[4]
USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) — escort destroyer, Abraham Lincoln CSG[5]
Multiple Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (Yokosuka, Japan) — ~33% of total deployable U.S. destroyer inventory now committed to Iran theater[6]
Amphibious Ready Groups
USS Tripoli (LHA-7) — homeported Sasebo, Japan; departed mid-March 2026; arrived Arabian Sea ~March 27; carries F-35B fighters[7][8]
USS New Orleans (LPD-19) — part of Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group[9]
USS Rushmore (LSD-47) — part of Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group[10]
USS Boxer (LHD-4) — redirected from near Indonesia; carries ~2,200 Marines (11th MEU); en route as of mid-May 2026[11][12]
Mine Countermeasure Ships (Sasebo, Japan)
USS Pioneer (MCM-9) — en route to Middle East[13]
USS Chief (MCM-14) — en route to Middle East[14]
Littoral Combat Ships
USS Canberra — operating in Arabian Sea supporting Iran naval blockade[15]
USS Tulsa — passed Strait of Malacca early April 2026; likely in theater[16]
U.S. Marine Corps
31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU) — ~2,200–2,500 Marines; Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan; deployed aboard USS Tripoli ARG; conducting blockade enforcement and ship-boarding operations; no replacement MEU has arrived in Okinawa. Marine Commandant publicly acknowledged the Indo-Pacific gap on May 18, 2026.[17][18][19]
11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) — Camp Pendleton, California (not INDOPACOM-assigned but further depletes global MEU availability); committed to theater aboard USS Boxer[20]
U.S. Army — Missile Defense Systems
48 THAAD Interceptor Missiles (Seongju, South Korea) — full loaded capacity of South Korea’s sole THAAD battery (6 launchers × 8 missiles each); launchers and AN/TPY-2 radar remain in place but with no confirmed ready interceptors, stripping the Korean Peninsula of its only high-altitude ballistic missile defense layer. Gen. Xavier Brunson, Commander U.S. Forces Korea, confirmed to the Senate Armed Services Committee (April 21, 2026): “We are sending munitions forward.”[21][22][23][24][25]
Multiple Patriot Missile Batteries and Interceptors (Osan Air Base, South Korea) — consolidated at Osan AB for transfer; South Korean President Lee Jae Myung confirmed the U.S. was “shipping some weapons, such as artillery batteries and air-defense weapons, out of the country.” More than 1,200 Patriot interceptors (~$4M each) have been expended in theater overall, drawing from global stocks including Korea.[26][27][28]
U.S. Air Force
ISR and Special Mission Aircraft (707-Family)
RC-135V/W Rivet Joint (SIGINT/COMINT/ELINT) — Fleet: ~16 aircraft. Multiple airframes deployed; continuous intelligence orbits over the Strait of Hormuz confirmed as of May 2, 2026. Collects signals intelligence, communications intercepts, and electronic intelligence.[29][30]
RC-135S Cobra Ball (Ballistic Missile MASINT) — Fleet: 3 aircraft total. At least 1 confirmed deployed. Purpose-built to track ballistic missile launches using optical and radiometric sensors. Its absence from the Pacific degrades real-time tracking of North Korean missile tests.[31][32]
RC-135U Combat Sent (Foreign Radar/IADS ELINT) — Fleet: 2 aircraft total. At least 1 confirmed deployed. Collects technical intelligence on foreign radar emitters and SAM system signatures. Deployed to map Iranian IADS architecture ahead of Operation Epic Fury. Absence reduces capability against Chinese and North Korean radar networks.[33][34]
WC-135R Constant Phoenix (”Nuclear Sniffer”) — Fleet: 2 aircraft total. 1 confirmed deployed; landed RAF Mildenhall, UK, January 29, 2026, subsequently moved forward to Middle East. Collects atmospheric samples to detect radioactive isotopes from nuclear detonations or weapons-grade fissile material. Operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Squadron.[35][36]
E-3 Sentry AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control) — Fleet: 16 aircraft (now 15 after combat loss). Approximately 6 (~40% of fleet) deployed to CENTCOM theater. 1 aircraft destroyed on the ground at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, by Iranian ballistic missile strike (~March 27, 2026). No direct replacement (E-7 Wedgetail) available until 2028.[37][38]
Fighter Aircraft
F-22 Raptors — deployed to Israel and Gulf region from CONUS and Pacific-stationed units, February 2026[39][40]
F-35A Lightning IIs — multiple squadrons surged to theater from CONUS and Pacific-stationed units, February 2026[41][42]
F-35Bs (USMC) — embarked aboard USS Tripoli (LHA-7) from Sasebo, Japan[43][44]
F-15E Strike Eagles — deployed to theater, February–March 2026[45]
Aerial Refueling (Tankers)
KC-135 Stratotankers — 8 aircraft surged through Hawaii in January 2026 en route to CENTCOM theater; additional dozens deployed to European staging bases (Morón, Ramstein) and forward; 5 KC-135s struck and damaged by Iranian drone attacks; 1 crashed in western Iraq on March 12, 2026, killing 6 airmen[46][47][48]
KC-46 Pegasus — additional tankers deployed alongside KC-135s to European staging bases and CENTCOM theater[49]
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(U) REFERENCES — MAIN DOCUMENT
SOFX, “USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves Western Pacific for Middle East Deployment,” January 20, 2026. https://www.sofx.com/uss-abraham-lincoln-leaves-western-pacific-for-middle-east-deployment/
2. Newsweek, “US Aircraft Carrier in South China Sea Could Be Heading for Iran,” January 14, 2026. https://www.newsweek.com/us-aircraft-carrier-in-south-china-sea-could-be-heading-for-iran-11363401
3. Korea Times, “Ex-US officials warn Iran war draining Indo-Pacific deterrence,” March 17, 2026. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/foreignaffairs/20260317/ex-us-officials-warn-iran-war-draining-indo-pacific-deterrence
4. The War Zone, “Where Are The Carriers As Of May 11, 2026,” May 10, 2026. https://www.twz.com/sea/where-are-the-carriers-as-of-may-11-2026-20-warships-including-two-carriers-enforce-iran-blockade
5. Japan Daily, “The United States military has begun a significant redeployment of its forces,” March 12, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/japandailydotjp
6. ABC News, “Deployment of Marines to Middle East raises specter of ground troops,” March 16, 2026. https://abcnews.com/Politics/deployment-marines-middle-east-raises-specter-ground-troops/story?id=131129821
7. Stars and Stripes, “Marine commandant acknowledges Indo-Pacific gap after Middle East deployment,” May 18, 2026. https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2026-05-18/marines-okinawa-meu-middle-east-21705464.html
8. Stars and Stripes (Facebook), “The Marine Corps has left a gap in the Indo-Pacific,” May 18, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/stripesmedia
9. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
10. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
11. Arms Control Association, “U.S. Moves Missile Defenses to Middle East,” April 30, 2026. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2026-05/news/us-moves-missile-defenses-middle-east
12. Se Daily, “THAAD Launchers Return to Seongju; Interceptor Missiles Await Transfer,” March 10, 2026. https://en.sedaily.com/politics/2026/03/11/thaad-launchers-return-to-seongju-interceptor-missiles
13. Stars and Stripes, “Korea-based THAAD system was not dispatched to Middle East, general says,” April 21, 2026. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-04-22/thaad-south-korea-middle-east-iran-21450171.html
14. Arms Control Association, “U.S. Moves Missile Defenses to Middle East,” April 30, 2026. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2026-05/news/us-moves-missile-defenses-middle-east
15. Kyodo News, “U.S. Patriot missile batteries relocated to Osan Air Base,” March 6, 2026. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71764
16. Reddit/WorldDefenseNews, “U.S. deploys nearly 40% of entire E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet to Middle East,” February 19, 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldDefenseNews/comments/1r8xi8s/us_deploys_nearly_40_of_entire_e3_sentry_awacs/
17. CNN, “Destruction of vital US radar aircraft could hamper ability to spot Iran attacks,” March 30, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/30/middleeast/us-air-force-awacs-jet-destroyed-saudi-arabia-intl-hnk-ml
18. Le Monde, “Trump ramps up pressure on Iran by deploying aircraft carrier,” January 28, 2026. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/01/29/trump-ramps-up-pressure-on-iran-by-deploying-aircraft-carrier
19. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “ISR’s Iron Triad,” July 2015. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/isrs-iron-triad/
20. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “ISR’s Iron Triad,” July 2015. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/isrs-iron-triad/
21. CNN, “Here’s what military equipment the US has positioned in the Middle East,” January 30, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/politics/us-military-equipment-middle-east-iran
22. Chosun Ilbo, “U.S. Nuclear Sniffer Plane Deploys to UK Amid Iran Tensions,” January 29, 2026. https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/30/QQI4GZWF2VFEHBEXS3ICKVFCLE/
23. The Independent, “US nuke sniffer lands in UK amid growing Iran tensions,” January 29, 2026. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iran-tension-donald-trump-strike-b2910707.html
24. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “Tankers Deploy to Europe as US Weighs Options in Israel-Iran War,” June 15, 2025. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-tankers-deploy-europe-as-us-weighs-options-israel-iran-war/
25. Facebook/MilitaryCognizance, “Surge of 8 U.S. KC-135 Tankers Hits Hawaii,” January 13, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/Mcognizance
26. At the moment of Germany’s surrender in May 1945, the Western Allies fielded roughly 4.5 million troops across 91 divisions, ~17,000 tanks, ~63,000 artillery pieces, and ~28,000 combat aircraft, while Stalin’s forces in Europe numbered approximately 6 million troops across hundreds of divisions, ~14,000–15,000 tanks, over 100,000 guns and mortars, and ~14,000–15,000 combat aircraft — the West held a 2:1 edge in the air and rough parity in armor, but faced a crushing Soviet advantage in artillery and a significant infantry overmatch, with Soviet divisions outnumbering Allied ones nearly 3:1 in the Central European theater.
27.
https://milab.substack.com/p/the-us-has-lost-the-war,
and
28.
29. According to reports by PBS NewsHour (2026), Tisdall (2026) for The Guardian, The Media Line (2026), and Ynetnews (2026).
(U) REFERENCES — ANNEX
SOFX, “USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves Western Pacific for Middle East Deployment,” January 20, 2026. https://www.sofx.com/uss-abraham-lincoln-leaves-western-pacific-for-middle-east-deployment/
2. Newsweek, “US Aircraft Carrier in South China Sea Could Be Heading for Iran,” January 14, 2026. https://www.newsweek.com/us-aircraft-carrier-in-south-china-sea-could-be-heading-for-iran-11363401
3. SOFX, “USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves Western Pacific,” January 20, 2026. https://www.sofx.com/uss-abraham-lincoln-leaves-western-pacific-for-middle-east-deployment/
4. SOFX, “USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves Western Pacific,” January 20, 2026. https://www.sofx.com/uss-abraham-lincoln-leaves-western-pacific-for-middle-east-deployment/
5. SOFX, “USS Abraham Lincoln Leaves Western Pacific,” January 20, 2026. https://www.sofx.com/uss-abraham-lincoln-leaves-western-pacific-for-middle-east-deployment/
6. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
7. Japan Daily, “Significant redeployment of US forces,” March 12, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/japandailydotjp
8. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
9. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
10. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
11. YouTube/Media Reports, “U.S. sending thousands more Marines to Middle East,” March 19, 2026.
12. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
13. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
14. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
15. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
16. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
17. ABC News, “Deployment of Marines to Middle East raises specter of ground troops,” March 16, 2026. https://abcnews.com/Politics/deployment-marines-middle-east-raises-specter-ground-troops/story?id=131129821
18. Korea Times, “Ex-US officials warn Iran war draining Indo-Pacific deterrence,” March 17, 2026. https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/amp/foreignaffairs/20260317/ex-us-officials-warn-iran-war-draining-indo-pacific-deterrence
19. Stars and Stripes, “Marine commandant acknowledges Indo-Pacific gap after Middle East deployment,” May 18, 2026. https://www.stripes.com/branches/marine_corps/2026-05-18/marines-okinawa-meu-middle-east-21705464.html
20. WSJ, “What to Know About the Pride of the Pacific Marine Unit Headed to the Middle East,” March 20, 2026. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-us-israel-war-updates-2026
21. Atlantic Council, “Tracking US military assets in the Iran war,” May 14, 2026. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/commentary/trackers-and-data-visualizations/tracking-us-military-assets-in-the-iran-war/
22. Arms Control Association, “U.S. Moves Missile Defenses to Middle East,” April 30, 2026. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2026-05/news/us-moves-missile-defenses-middle-east
23. Stars and Stripes, “Korea-based THAAD system was not dispatched to Middle East, general says,” April 21, 2026. https://www.stripes.com/theaters/asia_pacific/2026-04-22/thaad-south-korea-middle-east-iran-21450171.html
24. Se Daily, “THAAD Launchers Return to Seongju; Interceptor Missiles Await Transfer,” March 10, 2026. https://en.sedaily.com/politics/2026/03/11/thaad-launchers-return-to-seongju-interceptor-missiles
25. Donga, “U.S. moves THAAD missiles from South Korea to Mideast,” March 10, 2026. https://www.donga.com/en/article/all/20260311/6134113/1
26. Arms Control Association, “U.S. Moves Missile Defenses to Middle East,” April 30, 2026. https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2026-05/news/us-moves-missile-defenses-middle-east
27. Kyodo News, “U.S. Patriot missile batteries relocated to Osan Air Base,” March 6, 2026. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/71764
28. Japan Times, “Seoul can’t stop U.S. forces from redeploying weapons to Middle East,” March 10, 2026. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/10/asia-pacific/politics/south-korea-president-us-weapons-middle-east/
29. Misbar, “U.S. Rivet Joint on Reconnaissance Mission Over Strait of Hormuz,” May 3, 2026. https://www.misbar.com/en/editorial/2026/05/04/us-rivet-joint-reconnaissance-mission-over-strait-hormuz
30. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “US Amasses More Airpower in Middle East,” February 18, 2026. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-amasses-more-airpower-middle-east-iran/
31. Le Monde, “Trump ramps up pressure on Iran by deploying aircraft carrier,” January 28, 2026. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2026/01/29/trump-ramps-up-pressure-on-iran-by-deploying-aircraft-carrier
32. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “ISR’s Iron Triad,” July 2015. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/isrs-iron-triad/
33. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “ISR’s Iron Triad,” July 2015. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/isrs-iron-triad/
34. CNN, “Here’s what military equipment the US has positioned in the Middle East,” January 30, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/politics/us-military-equipment-middle-east-iran
35. Chosun Ilbo, “U.S. Nuclear Sniffer Plane Deploys to UK Amid Iran Tensions,” January 29, 2026. https://www.chosun.com/english/world-en/2026/01/30/QQI4GZWF2VFEHBEXS3ICKVFCLE/
36. The Independent, “US nuke sniffer lands in UK amid growing Iran tensions,” January 29, 2026. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/iran-tension-donald-trump-strike-b2910707.html
37. Reddit/WorldDefenseNews, “U.S. deploys nearly 40% of entire E-3 Sentry AWACS fleet to Middle East,” February 19, 2026. https://www.reddit.com/r/WorldDefenseNews/comments/1r8xi8s/us_deploys_nearly_40_of_entire_e3_sentry_awacs/
38. CNN, “Destruction of vital US radar aircraft could hamper ability to spot Iran attacks,” March 30, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/30/middleeast/us-air-force-awacs-jet-destroyed-saudi-arabia-intl-hnk-ml
39. Militarnyi, “USA Moving F-35s, F-22s, and AWACS Aircraft to the Middle East,” February 16, 2026. https://militarnyi.com/en/news/usa-f-35s-f-22s-awacs-aircraft-middle-east/
40. FDD, “U.S. Deploys F-22s to Israel,” February 26, 2026. https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2026/02/27/u-s-deploys-f-22s-to-israel-as-iran-tries-to-intimidate-washingtons-arab-partners/
41. Militarnyi, “USA Moving F-35s, F-22s, and AWACS Aircraft to the Middle East,” February 16, 2026. https://militarnyi.com/en/news/usa-f-35s-f-22s-awacs-aircraft-middle-east/
42. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “US Amasses More Airpower in Middle East,” February 18, 2026. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-amasses-more-airpower-middle-east-iran/
43. Japan Daily, “Significant redeployment of US forces,” March 12, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/japandailydotjp
44. Al Jazeera, “Iran War: What a Marine Expeditionary Unit is,” March 31, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/1/iran-war-what-a-marine-expeditionary-unit-is-and-other-us-military-terms
45. Militarnyi, “USA Moving F-35s, F-22s, and AWACS Aircraft to the Middle East,” February 16, 2026. https://militarnyi.com/en/news/usa-f-35s-f-22s-awacs-aircraft-middle-east/
46. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “Tankers Deploy to Europe as US Weighs Options in Israel-Iran War,” June 15, 2025. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-tankers-deploy-europe-as-us-weighs-options-israel-iran-war/
47. Facebook/MilitaryCognizance, “Surge of 8 U.S. KC-135 Tankers Hits Hawaii,” January 13, 2026. https://www.facebook.com/Mcognizance
48. Defense One, “KC-135 crash in Iraq spurs calls for communications upgrades,” March 22, 2026. https://www.defenseone.com/defense-systems/2026/03/it-keeps-me-night-kc-135-crash-underscores-necessary-comms-upgrades-leaders-say/403751/
49. Air and Space Forces Magazine, “Tankers Deploy to Europe as US Weighs Options in Israel-Iran War,” June 15, 2025. https://www.airandspaceforces.com/usaf-tankers-deploy-europe-as-us-weighs-options-israel-iran-war/
The National Security Desk offers these posts freely, but your support is necessary and appreciated. Please subscribe, paid if you’re able, or leave a tip.
Thank you