International

US deploys F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia amid rising Middle East tensions

Sunday, 18 May 2025 12:16AM UTC

The US Air Force has stationed F-15 fighter jets and advanced bombers at the strategic Diego Garcia base in response to escalating threats from Iran and regional instability, underscoring a heightened military readiness in the Indian Ocean.

Several American fighter jets have recently been deployed to a strategic UK-US base in the Indian Ocean, known as Diego Garcia. This deployment, reportedly comprising at least four US Air Force F-15 fighter jets, is intended to bolster the base's defensive capabilities amid escalating tensions in the region, particularly related to Iran and its advancing military capabilities.

Diego Garcia, situated in the Chagos Islands, has long been a pivotal outpost for US and UK forces, serving as a launch point for long-range operations and maritime activities. It is home to various American military assets, including B-52 Stratofortress bombers. The UK's controversial plans to hand over the islands to Mauritius have further complicated the geopolitical landscape surrounding the base. This deployment of F-15s aligns with a broader strategy aimed at reinforcing US military presence in the region.

Reports indicate that the enhanced defensive posture comes as Iran continues to develop its missile technology, including cruise and ballistic missiles, and increasingly sophisticated drone systems. Recent military activity from the US, including airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, underscores the ongoing volatility in the area. The Pentagon's deployment of fighter jets is seen as a necessary measure to secure US interests and ensure the safety of the base's operations.

In addition to the F-15s, recent satellite imagery has revealed an increase in military assets at Diego Garcia, including B-2 stealth bombers and supporting aircraft such as C-17 cargo planes and KC-135 refueling tankers. This buildup reflects a heightened state of readiness and a commitment to regional security, as the US and its allies prepare to respond to any escalations. Notably, approximately half of the operational B-2 fleet has been reported at the base, indicating a significant operational capacity that can be mobilised rapidly if needed.

The significance of Diego Garcia is further emphasised by its geographical positioning, which places it beyond the operational range of several regional threats, including both Iranian and Houthi missile systems. This strategic advantage allows for a secure launch point for operations aimed at deterring aggression and managing conflict in the increasingly precarious Middle East landscape.

As the situation continues to evolve, the US military remains vigilant, reinforcing its capabilities in the Indian Ocean. The deployment of advanced aircraft to Diego Garcia not only serves as a show of strength to adversaries but also illustrates the complexities of military strategy in an era marked by shifting power dynamics and rising regional tensions.

Ultimately, the presence of American fighter jets and bombers at Diego Garcia signifies more than just a tactical response; it represents a steadfast commitment to maintaining stability and safeguarding interests in a region fraught with uncertainty and conflict.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/2056640/pentagon-fighter-jets-protect-secret-uk-us-base - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/02/middleeast/us-b2-bombers-diego-garcia-intl-hnk-ml/index.html - CNN reports that the Pentagon has deployed at least six B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, a strategic island in the Indian Ocean, as a show of force to Iran amid rising tensions in the Middle East. Satellite images from Planet Labs on March 29, 2025, show the bombers on the tarmac, along with support aircraft. The deployment is part of a broader U.S. military buildup in the region, including additional aircraft and air assets, to enhance America's defensive posture. The U.S. and its partners remain committed to regional security and are prepared to respond to any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate conflict in the region.
https://www.newsweek.com/us-military-iran-yemen-nuclear-indian-diego-garcia-2050658 - Newsweek reports on the U.S. military's increased presence in the Indian Ocean, particularly at Diego Garcia, in response to rising tensions with Iran and its proxies. Satellite imagery shows the deployment of B-2 bombers, C-17 cargo planes, and KC-135 refueling tankers to the base. This buildup coincides with intensified U.S. strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen and growing warnings to Iran over its nuclear ambitions. The deployment signals heightened readiness for potential large-scale air operations in the region.
https://theaviationist.com/2025/03/26/b-2-unannounced-deployment-diego-garcia/ - The Aviationist details the unannounced deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Diego Garcia. Using open-source information, aviation enthusiasts monitored flights of multiple B-2s transiting from Whiteman AFB to the Indian Ocean outpost. The deployment includes at least four B-2s, with support from C-17A Globemaster III airlifters and KC-135 Stratotankers. The base has dedicated hangars for the B-2 Spirit, indicating a significant operational presence. The deployment is part of evolving B-2 operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/aerospace-news/2025/flash-news-us-escalates-military-posture-in-the-middle-east-as-b-2-bombers-deploy-to-diego-garcia-military-base - Army Recognition reports on the U.S. escalation in the Middle East with the deployment of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to Diego Garcia. The move follows an increasingly aggressive stance by U.S. President Trump, who has issued stark warnings to Iran over its nuclear ambitions and support for proxy groups such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The deployment underscores a heightened state of readiness by the U.S. military and reflects a significant projection of American airpower.
https://www.westernjournal.com/b-2-spirit-bombers-assembling-remote-island-diego-garcia-somebodys-nasty-surprise/ - The Western Journal reports on the assembly of B-2 Spirit bombers at Diego Garcia, a remote island in the Indian Ocean. The deployment includes at least five B-2 bombers and seven C-17A Globemaster IIIs, indicating a significant buildup of U.S. military presence. The report highlights the strategic importance of Diego Garcia, noting that it is beyond the range of Iranian and Houthi missiles and drones, making it a secure base for operations in the region.
https://fas.org/publication/half-of-operational-b-2-force-deploys-to-diego-garcia/ - The Federation of American Scientists reports that the U.S. Air Force has forward deployed about one-third of its B-2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, or about half the B-2s considered fully operational at any given time. The large deployment to Diego Garcia is part of evolving B-2 operations in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean that also involve more deployments to Australia. The B-2 bombers are dual-capable, meaning they can deliver both conventional and nuclear weapons, though no nuclear weapons are on this Diego Garcia mission.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative mentions recent military activities and tensions related to Iran, suggesting contemporary relevance. However, specific details about the timing of the deployment are not provided, which could indicate a lack of immediacy or the possibility of being a recent reiteration of ongoing events.

Quotes check

Score: 10

Notes: There are no direct quotes in the narrative, eliminating the need for verification.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The origin is a press release or news from the Express, which is a known publication but not universally regarded for in-depth fact-checking like more specialized outlets.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about the deployment align with plausible strategic military moves given the geopolitical context and recent tensions. However, the lack of specific dates or confirmatory sources makes full verification challenging.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative appears to be generally plausible due to the strategic context, but the lack of specific details and verification from multiple sources leaves some uncertainty. The absence of direct quotes and the press-like nature of the source contribute to a medium confidence level.

Diego Garcia
US military
Indian Ocean
F-15
Iran
Middle East