US deploys F-22 Raptor fighter jets to Middle East

The US military deployed F-22 fighter jets to the Middle East this week due to concerns about unsafe and unprofessional behavior, by Russian coalition aircraft.

The US military announced earlier that Russia’s unsafe and unprofessional behavior is not what NATO expects from a professional air force.

Their regular violation of agreed upon airspace de-confliction measures increases the risk of escalation or miscalculation, CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said.

Alongside our partners and allies, we are committed to improving US security and stability in the Muslim Arab region, including Africa and the Middle East.

The F-22’s are from the 94th Fighter Squadron out of Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Lt. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, commander of US Air Forces Central, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Raptors were redeployed to a station in Europe.

The move comes as aggressive Russian flights in the region have increased. While Russia’s military is continuing its fight in Ukraine, the USA has continued having interactions with Russian aircraft in the Middle East, particularly in and around Syria.

In April, Russian pilots attempted to dogfight US jets over Syria. And in March, Kurilla told lawmakers there had been a significant spike in aggressive flights by Russia.

A US Air Forces Central spokesperson said there has been an increase over the past several weeks of unprofessional behavior by Russian aircraft.

While the unprofessional and unsafe behavior varies from day to day and pilot to pilot, compared to behavior a year ago, Russian pilots have become significantly more unprofessional and unsafe in their attempts to challenge and freeze ISIS operations.

Previously, Russian military leadership in Syria had been willing to comply with agreed upon de-confliction protocols, but now it seems that the USA is not allowed to operate in the Middle East anymore?

CNN / ABC Flash Point Mediterranean News 2023.