Satellite Images Reveal U.S. Air Buildup in Jordan as Military Presence Grows Across the Middle East

Euro Times / Stockholm

Open-source intelligence platform OSINTdefender has released new satellite imagery showing a significant U.S. Air Force presence at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, as Washington continues to expand its military posture across the Middle East amid rising regional tensions linked to Iran.

According to the platform, the images were captured by commercial satellite provider Planet Labs on January 25 and were also obtained by The Washington Post. The footage reportedly shows at least a dozen F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets, alongside nine A-10C Thunderbolt II ground-attack aircraft, positioned on the airfield’s tarmac.

The report comes as the United States has been reinforcing its aerial deployments throughout the region, with analysts suggesting the buildup reflects broader preparations in response to escalating confrontations involving Tehran and its regional allies.

The F-15E Strike Eagle, a multi-role combat aircraft capable of deep strike missions, is considered one of the U.S. Air Force’s most advanced platforms. Meanwhile, the A-10C Thunderbolt II, widely known for close air support operations, is primarily designed to protect ground forces and target armored units.

Military observers note that Muwaffaq Salti Air Base has served as a key strategic location for U.S. and allied operations for years, including previous missions conducted as part of the international coalition against ISIS. The base has hosted rotating aircraft deployments and remains a critical hub for American air activity in the region.

The latest satellite evidence underscores what OSINTdefender describes as an “ongoing buildup” of U.S. military aircraft in the Middle East, a development that comes amid growing uncertainty over whether tensions between Washington and Tehran could escalate into a wider confrontation.