Iran Press/ Middle East: The Raptors landed at Al-Dhafra Air Base, hosting 2,000 US troops.
American officials declined to say how many F-22s were deployed or the number of airmen supporting the aircraft, citing operational security. However, they identified the unit involved as the 1st Fighter Wing, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.
According to Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, the commander of the US Air Force's Mideast command, "The Raptors' presence will bolster UAE defenses in the region."
American soldiers there launched Patriot interceptor missiles in response to the Houthi attacks last month, the first time US troops have fired the system in combat since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
The deployment comes after the Yemeni Armed Forces, backed by Ansarallah Popular Forces, targetted Abu Dhabi in several attacks, including one targeting a fuel depot that killed three people and wounded six.
The attacks coincided with visits by the presidents of Israel to the country.
Though overshadowed by the Ukraine crisis, the missile fire targeting the Emirates has sparked a significant US response. The American military has sent the USS Cole on a mission to Abu Dhabi.
Also, US soldiers in Al-Dhafra Air Base launched Patriot interceptor missiles in response to the Houthi attacks last month, the first time US troops have fired the system in combat since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.
Yemeni Forces on Thursday targetted Saudi Arabia Abha Airport and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait; the two are of the airports from where most of the US-backed Saudi coalition's airstrikes against Yemen are carried out.
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