Almighty Armada, Bevy Of Bases: Inside America’s Military Surge Across West Asia Amid Iran Crisis

Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 16:53 IST

The US buildup is not merely a show of force but a strategic recalibration designed to protect regional allies and deter potential Iranian retaliation

As of February 2026, West Asia has seen a massive surge in American military activity. Spurred by domestic unrest within Iran and a breakdown in nuclear negotiations, the Donald Trump administration has mobilised what officials describe as an “armada" to the region. This buildup is not merely a show of force but a strategic recalibration designed to protect regional allies and deter potential Iranian retaliation.

Here is a breakdown of the primary US military assets currently deployed and the sprawling base network supporting them.

Key Military Assets Deployed (January-February 2026)

The USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group: The cornerstone of the current buildup is the nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Having diverted from the South China Sea in late January, it now operates in the Arabian Sea. Its deck carries Carrier Air Wing 9, featuring F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. The carrier is escorted by the guided-missile destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen Jr, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Spruance, all equipped with Aegis missile defence and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Reinforced Airpower & Stealth Fleets: The US Air Force has significantly bolstered its “footprint" across regional bases. As of early February, three squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagles have been relocated from RAF Lakenheath to Jordan. These are joined by squadrons of F-16 Fighting Falcons and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. Most notably, additional fifth-generation F-35A stealth jets landed at RAF Lakenheath on February 9, acting as a “staging force" ready to rotate into West Asia to suppress enemy air defences if needed.

Advanced Missile Defence: THAAD & Patriot To counter Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, the Pentagon has deployed additional THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) batteries and Patriot missile systems to Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. This is a rare move, given the limited global inventory of THAAD units, highlighting the perceived threat to US personnel and regional energy infrastructure.

Major US Bases in West Asia

The US maintains a network of over 19 locations in the region, with approximately 50,000 troops currently on high alert.

Al Udeid Air Base (Qatar): The largest US military facility in the Middle East, housing over 11,000 personnel. It serves as the forward headquarters for CENTCOM and recently added a new integrated air and missile defence coordination cell.

Naval Support Activity (Bahrain): The permanent home of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet. It remains the command centre for all maritime operations in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Muwaffaq Salti Air Base (Jordan): A critical hub for the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, currently hosting the influx of F-15E fighters used for surveillance and strike missions across the Levant.

Camp Arifjan & Ali Al Salem (Kuwait): Sprawling army installations that serve as the primary logistics and staging ground for ground forces and air movements near the Iraqi border.

Prince Sultan Air Base (Saudi Arabia): A vital site for air defence, hosting the THAAD and Patriot batteries that shield the kingdom and US assets from long-range threats.

Al Dhafra Air Base (UAE): A major surveillance and reconnaissance hub south of Abu Dhabi, shared with the Emirati Air Force.

Incirlik Air Base (Turkey): A strategic NATO site in southern Turkey that continues to host US nuclear assets and support regional aerial refuelling missions.

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