The United States has reportedly removed nearly 40 military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar between June 5 and June 19, according to satellite imagery, as the Iran-Israel conflict escalates. This is among the most significant drawdowns at the base, which is the largest American military installation in the Middle East.
Security concerns prompt restricted access
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar confirmed on Thursday that access to Al Udeid had been limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities." Personnel have been advised to remain alert due to the deteriorating security environment.
Base’s location seen as risky
“Al Udeid would be extremely vulnerable due to its close proximity to Iran,” said Mark Schwartz, a former U.S. Army lieutenant general and defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. “You want to reduce risk to U.S. forces, both personnel and equipment.”
On June 5, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC showed about 40 aircraft at the base, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and reconnaissance jets. By June 19, only three aircraft remained.
US refuelling aircraft shift to Europe
Flight tracking reviewed by AFP showed that between June 15 and June 18, at least 27 military refuelling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, flew from the U.S. to Europe. Twenty-five of these remained in Europe as of late Wednesday, indicating the U.S. could be positioning assets for extended-range operations.
No disclosure of aircraft destination
While it is unclear whether the aircraft have been moved to hardened shelters or other bases in the region, a U.S. defense official declined to disclose details, stating: “We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.”
US military posture on high alert
American forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert. Families stationed at certain military bases have been given the option to evacuate voluntarily. Currently, around 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed across the region, up from a peacetime average of 30,000.
Carrier groups redeployed toward Middle East
To reinforce its posture, the U.S. is increasing its naval presence. A Navy official confirmed the USS Gerald R. Ford will depart Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24 for a deployment to the U.S. European Command area. The USS Carl Vinson strike group has already been operating in the region, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Nimitz carrier group to head toward the Middle East “to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,” according to a senior defense official.
White House still deciding on next steps
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will decide within the next two weeks whether to authorize U.S. strikes on Iran. While he has supported Israel’s ongoing operations, Trump said there remains a limited window for negotiations. He also remarked that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be an “easy target.”
Trump has previously pushed for a replacement to the 2015 nuclear deal, which he exited in 2018. In recent weeks, he has endorsed Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Political resistance builds in Washington
Several voices from within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base have opposed deeper U.S. involvement, warning that such actions risk entangling the country in new long-term conflicts.
Israel-Iran clash reaches new intensity
The latest military exchange between Israel and Iran is among the most direct and intense in decades. Israel launched Operation Rising Sun, targeting nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. The escalation has raised concerns of a broader regional war and drawn global attention.
(With inputs from AFP)
Security concerns prompt restricted access
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar confirmed on Thursday that access to Al Udeid had been limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities." Personnel have been advised to remain alert due to the deteriorating security environment.
Base’s location seen as risky
“Al Udeid would be extremely vulnerable due to its close proximity to Iran,” said Mark Schwartz, a former U.S. Army lieutenant general and defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. “You want to reduce risk to U.S. forces, both personnel and equipment.”
On June 5, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC showed about 40 aircraft at the base, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and reconnaissance jets. By June 19, only three aircraft remained.
US Warplanes Quietly Pulled from Qatar Airbase
— Ahmad Algohbary (@AhmadAlgohbary) June 19, 2025
Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show an unusually empty runway at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, suggesting the U.S. military has redeployed many aircraft. The move follows similar naval dispersals in Bahrain, seen as… pic.twitter.com/TVqqdcGnei
US refuelling aircraft shift to Europe
Flight tracking reviewed by AFP showed that between June 15 and June 18, at least 27 military refuelling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, flew from the U.S. to Europe. Twenty-five of these remained in Europe as of late Wednesday, indicating the U.S. could be positioning assets for extended-range operations.
No disclosure of aircraft destination
While it is unclear whether the aircraft have been moved to hardened shelters or other bases in the region, a U.S. defense official declined to disclose details, stating: “We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.”
Over the last 24 hours, at least 20 C-17A “Globemaster III” and C-5M “Galaxy” Strategic Heavy-Lift Transports with the U.S. Air Force have arrived at airbases in the Middle East from Europe, most originating from bases in the United States, carrying additional air-defense… pic.twitter.com/QZsupSaRdn
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 20, 2025
US military posture on high alert
American forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert. Families stationed at certain military bases have been given the option to evacuate voluntarily. Currently, around 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed across the region, up from a peacetime average of 30,000.
Carrier groups redeployed toward Middle East
To reinforce its posture, the U.S. is increasing its naval presence. A Navy official confirmed the USS Gerald R. Ford will depart Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24 for a deployment to the U.S. European Command area. The USS Carl Vinson strike group has already been operating in the region, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Nimitz carrier group to head toward the Middle East “to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,” according to a senior defense official.
White House still deciding on next steps
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will decide within the next two weeks whether to authorize U.S. strikes on Iran. While he has supported Israel’s ongoing operations, Trump said there remains a limited window for negotiations. He also remarked that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be an “easy target.”
Trump has previously pushed for a replacement to the 2015 nuclear deal, which he exited in 2018. In recent weeks, he has endorsed Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.
Political resistance builds in Washington
Several voices from within Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base have opposed deeper U.S. involvement, warning that such actions risk entangling the country in new long-term conflicts.
Israel-Iran clash reaches new intensity
The latest military exchange between Israel and Iran is among the most direct and intense in decades. Israel launched Operation Rising Sun, targeting nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. The escalation has raised concerns of a broader regional war and drawn global attention.
(With inputs from AFP)
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