U.S. Strengthens Air Combat Forces at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Base Near Israel as Iran Tensions Escalate
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Commercial satellite imagery indicates the United States has positioned at least 60 combat aircraft at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, alongside drones, helicopters, and new air defense systems. The buildup signals a rapid expansion of U.S. strike and force protection capacity in the region amid contingency planning related to Iran.
The recent reporting by The New York Times, citing Airbus commercial satellite imagery captured Friday, shows a substantial U.S. air power buildup at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, with at least 60 combat aircraft now parked on the aprons alongside unmanned aerial systems, helicopters, and newly emplaced air defense assets. Flight tracking data referenced in the report indicate dozens of cargo aircraft arrived within days, delivering personnel, munitions, and support equipment, suggesting a rapid force surge. The base, long used as a coalition hub for operations in Syria and Iraq, now appears configured for higher tempo strike operations and defensive coverage tied to potential Iran contingencies. The scale and speed of the deployment point to deliberate positioning rather than routine rotation, reinforcing U.S. readiness options across the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf theaters.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Commercial satellite imagery and flight data indicate a significant U.S. air power buildup at a key Jordanian base, reflecting heightened regional military readiness (Picture Source: Airbus / Google Earth / U.S. Air Force)
Even before the Airbus imagery was published, open-source intelligence communities had begun to flag a significant change on the ground. About a week earlier, OSINT analysts circulated commercially available Chinese satellite images of Muwaffaq Salti, showing rows of fighter aircraft and support assets concentrated on the main tarmac. At the time, these images remained unofficial and unconfirmed, but the disposition and silhouettes of the aircraft now match what can be seen on the Airbus views. Taken together, the two independent commercial data sets provide a strong double verification of the deployment. Based on the combined imagery, it is assessed with a moderate to high level of confidence that U.S. F-35A Lightning II multirole fighters are deployed at the base, alongside additional U.S. combat aircraft from the F/A-18 family. However, it remains unclear from the available visuals whether these aircraft are F/A-18E/F Super Hornet multirole fighters or EA-18G Growler electronic warfare variants, as both platforms share the same airframe and similar external characteristics.
The visible aircraft composition points to a tailored force package optimised for high-end operations in a heavily defended theatre. The F-35A brings low-observable characteristics, advanced sensors and secure datalinks, making it well suited for suppression and destruction of enemy air defences, deep precision strike, offensive counter-air and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. In a potential Iran scenario, F-35A aircraft forward based at Muwaffaq Salti could be tasked to locate and neutralise long-range radar sites, command nodes and high-value missile infrastructure, while simultaneously providing a fused air picture to other U.S. and allied assets. The EA-18G Growler complements this stealth capability by providing stand-off and escort jamming, communications disruption and radar suppression. Using its specialised jamming pods and anti-radiation weapons, the EA-18G can degrade key elements of an integrated air defence system, protect strike packages and contribute to a broader electronic attack campaign. Together, F-35A and EA-18G form a classic first-wave combination designed to open corridors through defended airspace and to maintain an electronic advantage against a sophisticated adversary.
Beyond the fifth-generation and electronic attack component, commercial imagery and OSINT reporting point to a broad mix of fourth-generation aircraft deployed at the base. Multiple F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 fighters are visible on the tarmac, with additional jets likely parked inside hardened shelters. The F-15E, with its large payload, twin-engine performance and long combat radius, is suited for deep strike missions, maritime interdiction and time-sensitive targeting well into the Iranian theatre or along critical supply corridors used by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. F-16 fighters offer flexible multirole capability, able to pivot between defensive counter-air over Jordanian or Iraqi airspace and precision air-to-ground tasks in support of regional partners. A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, also visible in earlier imagery, contribute specialised close air support and base defence options, particularly relevant in any scenario where U.S. or allied ground forces near Jordanian territory might come under threat. Unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters, also seen on the satellite images, add persistent ISR, limited strike, combat search and rescue and intra-theatre mobility to this air package.
The air component appears to be protected by an equally serious ground-based air and missile defence posture. OSINT analysis of Chinese and other commercial satellite imagery indicates that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery has likely been emplaced in Jordan, with several launchers oriented to provide coverage against ballistic threats. Combined with MIM-104 Patriot systems, which are also reported in the area, this creates a layered defensive architecture. THAAD focuses on intercepting medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase at high altitude, while Patriot covers shorter-range ballistic and cruise missile threats and can contribute to local air defence. In the context of Iran’s well-documented ballistic missile arsenal and the potential for coordinated strikes by regional proxies, such a configuration is a logical and necessary shield for the high-value aviation assets concentrated at Muwaffaq Salti. It also sends a clear signal that maintaining continuity of air operations and protecting U.S. and allied personnel is a central planning priority.
Muwaffaq Salti’s location gives this buildup particular operational significance. Situated in eastern Jordan, the base is already a known hub for U.S. operations under a bilateral defence framework, supporting expeditionary air wings and coalition missions in Iraq and Syria. From this forward position, tactical jets can reach western Iran, the Levant and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean with relatively short transit times, reducing dependence on maritime platforms and enabling rapid reaction to emerging threats. The airfield’s position also makes it a convenient staging point for offensive counter-air and long-range strike sorties, while still benefiting from depth behind Jordan’s borders and access to regional tanker and command-and-control networks. For Iranian planners, the reinforced base represents a regional hub that complicates any attempt to localise a crisis and increases the number of axes from which high-precision air power can be brought to bear if deterrence fails.
The proximity of Muwaffaq Salti to Israel adds another key layer to the strategic picture. The base lies within a short flight of Israeli airspace and within reach of Israeli and U.S. air and missile defence networks, including systems deployed to protect Israel against ballistic and cruise missiles. In a serious escalation involving Iranian missile launches or regional proxy actions against Israel, U.S. aircraft stationed in Jordan would be well-positioned to conduct coordinated or parallel operations alongside Israeli forces. F-35A fighters could engage in network-enabled fifth-generation missions with Israeli aircraft, sharing targeting data and improving situational awareness across national boundaries. EA-18G Growlers could offer additional electronic attack capacity to support Israeli strike packages or defend Israeli airspace against hostile sensors and communications. The presence of F-15E, F-16 and A-10C aircraft further reinforces the ability to sustain both defensive counter-air and precision strike operations in close coordination with Israeli and other partner forces across the region.
For Jordan, hosting this concentration of U.S. forces reflects a careful balance between national security concerns and regional diplomacy. The deployments take place within the framework of a defence agreement with the United States and are formally presented as measures intended to strengthen deterrence and protect Jordanian and allied territory from potential missile and air threats. Officials in Amman have consistently emphasised their interest in regional stability and in avoiding direct involvement in conflict, even as they cooperate closely with Washington on security matters. The configuration at Muwaffaq Salti supports that narrative: a strong emphasis on missile defence, layered air protection and precision air power projects a posture that is simultaneously robust and limited in scope, aimed at deterring escalation and defending partners rather than seeking large-scale ground operations.
The concentration of U.S. air and missile assets at Muwaffaq Salti sends a calibrated signal to Tehran and to regional actors. For Iran, it underlines that any large-scale use of ballistic missiles or other stand-off weapons against U.S. forces, Israel or Gulf partners would face a rapid and geographically proximate response from advanced air platforms protected by modern missile defences. For Israel and other U.S. partners, the deployment reassures that Washington retains both the capability and the willingness to surge modern air power and air defence systems into the region on short notice, even as it seeks to manage tensions through diplomacy. By relying on precision strike, electronic warfare and layered defence rather than on massed ground formations, the overall posture is framed as one of deterrence, escalation control and protection of critical infrastructure and populations.
The recent satellite imagery of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan reveals a substantial, carefully composed U.S. air and missile defence presence, centred on F-35A stealth fighters, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft and a wide mix of supporting platforms, all under a protective umbrella that likely includes THAAD and Patriot systems. Public information points to some 60 to 70 U.S. aircraft of various types now deployed to the base, but this article deliberately avoids more precise counts and technical details for operational security reasons. The combination of advanced air power, integrated missile defence and favourable geography close to Israel gives Muwaffaq Salti a central role in any potential U.S. contingency planning regarding Iran, while also reinforcing the broader deterrence and defence posture that the United States maintains in coordination with Israel, Jordan and other regional partners.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
Commercial satellite imagery indicates the United States has positioned at least 60 combat aircraft at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, alongside drones, helicopters, and new air defense systems. The buildup signals a rapid expansion of U.S. strike and force protection capacity in the region amid contingency planning related to Iran.
The recent reporting by The New York Times, citing Airbus commercial satellite imagery captured Friday, shows a substantial U.S. air power buildup at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in eastern Jordan, with at least 60 combat aircraft now parked on the aprons alongside unmanned aerial systems, helicopters, and newly emplaced air defense assets. Flight tracking data referenced in the report indicate dozens of cargo aircraft arrived within days, delivering personnel, munitions, and support equipment, suggesting a rapid force surge. The base, long used as a coalition hub for operations in Syria and Iraq, now appears configured for higher tempo strike operations and defensive coverage tied to potential Iran contingencies. The scale and speed of the deployment point to deliberate positioning rather than routine rotation, reinforcing U.S. readiness options across the eastern Mediterranean and Persian Gulf theaters.
Commercial satellite imagery and flight data indicate a significant U.S. air power buildup at a key Jordanian base, reflecting heightened regional military readiness (Picture Source: Airbus / Google Earth / U.S. Air Force)
Even before the Airbus imagery was published, open-source intelligence communities had begun to flag a significant change on the ground. About a week earlier, OSINT analysts circulated commercially available Chinese satellite images of Muwaffaq Salti, showing rows of fighter aircraft and support assets concentrated on the main tarmac. At the time, these images remained unofficial and unconfirmed, but the disposition and silhouettes of the aircraft now match what can be seen on the Airbus views. Taken together, the two independent commercial data sets provide a strong double verification of the deployment. Based on the combined imagery, it is assessed with a moderate to high level of confidence that U.S. F-35A Lightning II multirole fighters are deployed at the base, alongside additional U.S. combat aircraft from the F/A-18 family. However, it remains unclear from the available visuals whether these aircraft are F/A-18E/F Super Hornet multirole fighters or EA-18G Growler electronic warfare variants, as both platforms share the same airframe and similar external characteristics.
The visible aircraft composition points to a tailored force package optimised for high-end operations in a heavily defended theatre. The F-35A brings low-observable characteristics, advanced sensors and secure datalinks, making it well suited for suppression and destruction of enemy air defences, deep precision strike, offensive counter-air and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. In a potential Iran scenario, F-35A aircraft forward based at Muwaffaq Salti could be tasked to locate and neutralise long-range radar sites, command nodes and high-value missile infrastructure, while simultaneously providing a fused air picture to other U.S. and allied assets. The EA-18G Growler complements this stealth capability by providing stand-off and escort jamming, communications disruption and radar suppression. Using its specialised jamming pods and anti-radiation weapons, the EA-18G can degrade key elements of an integrated air defence system, protect strike packages and contribute to a broader electronic attack campaign. Together, F-35A and EA-18G form a classic first-wave combination designed to open corridors through defended airspace and to maintain an electronic advantage against a sophisticated adversary.
Beyond the fifth-generation and electronic attack component, commercial imagery and OSINT reporting point to a broad mix of fourth-generation aircraft deployed at the base. Multiple F-15E Strike Eagle and F-16 fighters are visible on the tarmac, with additional jets likely parked inside hardened shelters. The F-15E, with its large payload, twin-engine performance and long combat radius, is suited for deep strike missions, maritime interdiction and time-sensitive targeting well into the Iranian theatre or along critical supply corridors used by Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Syria. F-16 fighters offer flexible multirole capability, able to pivot between defensive counter-air over Jordanian or Iraqi airspace and precision air-to-ground tasks in support of regional partners. A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, also visible in earlier imagery, contribute specialised close air support and base defence options, particularly relevant in any scenario where U.S. or allied ground forces near Jordanian territory might come under threat. Unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters, also seen on the satellite images, add persistent ISR, limited strike, combat search and rescue and intra-theatre mobility to this air package.
The air component appears to be protected by an equally serious ground-based air and missile defence posture. OSINT analysis of Chinese and other commercial satellite imagery indicates that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery has likely been emplaced in Jordan, with several launchers oriented to provide coverage against ballistic threats. Combined with MIM-104 Patriot systems, which are also reported in the area, this creates a layered defensive architecture. THAAD focuses on intercepting medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase at high altitude, while Patriot covers shorter-range ballistic and cruise missile threats and can contribute to local air defence. In the context of Iran’s well-documented ballistic missile arsenal and the potential for coordinated strikes by regional proxies, such a configuration is a logical and necessary shield for the high-value aviation assets concentrated at Muwaffaq Salti. It also sends a clear signal that maintaining continuity of air operations and protecting U.S. and allied personnel is a central planning priority.
Muwaffaq Salti’s location gives this buildup particular operational significance. Situated in eastern Jordan, the base is already a known hub for U.S. operations under a bilateral defence framework, supporting expeditionary air wings and coalition missions in Iraq and Syria. From this forward position, tactical jets can reach western Iran, the Levant and parts of the Eastern Mediterranean with relatively short transit times, reducing dependence on maritime platforms and enabling rapid reaction to emerging threats. The airfield’s position also makes it a convenient staging point for offensive counter-air and long-range strike sorties, while still benefiting from depth behind Jordan’s borders and access to regional tanker and command-and-control networks. For Iranian planners, the reinforced base represents a regional hub that complicates any attempt to localise a crisis and increases the number of axes from which high-precision air power can be brought to bear if deterrence fails.
The proximity of Muwaffaq Salti to Israel adds another key layer to the strategic picture. The base lies within a short flight of Israeli airspace and within reach of Israeli and U.S. air and missile defence networks, including systems deployed to protect Israel against ballistic and cruise missiles. In a serious escalation involving Iranian missile launches or regional proxy actions against Israel, U.S. aircraft stationed in Jordan would be well-positioned to conduct coordinated or parallel operations alongside Israeli forces. F-35A fighters could engage in network-enabled fifth-generation missions with Israeli aircraft, sharing targeting data and improving situational awareness across national boundaries. EA-18G Growlers could offer additional electronic attack capacity to support Israeli strike packages or defend Israeli airspace against hostile sensors and communications. The presence of F-15E, F-16 and A-10C aircraft further reinforces the ability to sustain both defensive counter-air and precision strike operations in close coordination with Israeli and other partner forces across the region.
For Jordan, hosting this concentration of U.S. forces reflects a careful balance between national security concerns and regional diplomacy. The deployments take place within the framework of a defence agreement with the United States and are formally presented as measures intended to strengthen deterrence and protect Jordanian and allied territory from potential missile and air threats. Officials in Amman have consistently emphasised their interest in regional stability and in avoiding direct involvement in conflict, even as they cooperate closely with Washington on security matters. The configuration at Muwaffaq Salti supports that narrative: a strong emphasis on missile defence, layered air protection and precision air power projects a posture that is simultaneously robust and limited in scope, aimed at deterring escalation and defending partners rather than seeking large-scale ground operations.
The concentration of U.S. air and missile assets at Muwaffaq Salti sends a calibrated signal to Tehran and to regional actors. For Iran, it underlines that any large-scale use of ballistic missiles or other stand-off weapons against U.S. forces, Israel or Gulf partners would face a rapid and geographically proximate response from advanced air platforms protected by modern missile defences. For Israel and other U.S. partners, the deployment reassures that Washington retains both the capability and the willingness to surge modern air power and air defence systems into the region on short notice, even as it seeks to manage tensions through diplomacy. By relying on precision strike, electronic warfare and layered defence rather than on massed ground formations, the overall posture is framed as one of deterrence, escalation control and protection of critical infrastructure and populations.
The recent satellite imagery of Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan reveals a substantial, carefully composed U.S. air and missile defence presence, centred on F-35A stealth fighters, EA-18G electronic warfare aircraft and a wide mix of supporting platforms, all under a protective umbrella that likely includes THAAD and Patriot systems. Public information points to some 60 to 70 U.S. aircraft of various types now deployed to the base, but this article deliberately avoids more precise counts and technical details for operational security reasons. The combination of advanced air power, integrated missile defence and favourable geography close to Israel gives Muwaffaq Salti a central role in any potential U.S. contingency planning regarding Iran, while also reinforcing the broader deterrence and defence posture that the United States maintains in coordination with Israel, Jordan and other regional partners.
Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.
