U.S. F-15 Fighters Deployed at Diego Garcia, What’s Cooking?

The U.S. Air Force has sent at least four F-15 fighter jets to Diego Garcia, a strategic island in the Indian Ocean. Apparently, the move is aiming to protect the base and its assets, including B-52H bombers. The War Zone, a defense news site, had mentioned the possibility of such deployment in April, citing growing threats to the island’s security.

On May 17, Yahoo News confirmed the presence of the fighters. U.S. Pacific Command spokesperson Commander Matthew Comer told The War Zone that the F-15s are there to protect U.S. forces.

Satellite images taken on May 16 by Planet Labs show the F-15s on the island. It’s not yet clear whether they are F-15C/D Eagles, which are being phased out, or F-15E Strike Eagles.

The aircraft’s paint suggested they are likely the E version.

The images also showed four B-52H bombers, five KC-135 refueling planes, a C-17 transport aircraft, and a white commercial plane with orange pods, probably operated by SAS for personnel transport.

Other satellite images indicated the F-15s have been on Diego Garcia since at least May 14.

Diego Garcia has long been a key U.S. military base.

It hosts a large airfield, supports Space Force operations, serves as a crucial port for the Navy’s nuclear submarines, and its lagoon hosts ships from the Sealift Command.

The base gained attention earlier this year when six stealth B-2 Spirit bombers arrived in March, demonstrating U.S. military strength aimed at Iran.

These B-2s later carried out strikes against Houthi groups in Yemen supported by Iran.

The four B-52s currently at Diego Garcia arrived last week. At one point, ten bombers were on the island, but the B-2s left shortly after, around May 9, according to flight tracking data.

It’s unclear how long the U.S. will keep the increased military presence on Diego Garcia, including the F-15 deployment.

Recently, a ceasefire was agreed upon between the U.S. and Houthi forces in Yemen, mediated by Oman.

Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iran are negotiating over Iran’s nuclear program. Former President Donald Trump has suggested that military action against Iran’s nuclear sites could happen if talks fail.

Source: Defi Media