Super Hornet jets loaded with missiles arrive in Middle East: Report

AIM-120 missiles, also known as AMRAAMs, are supersonic missiles with a launch weight of 335 pounds, according to the US Air Force (USAF).

They have a range of over 20 miles and use a fragmentation warhead.

Sidewinders are “supersonic, heat-seeking, air-to-air” missiles, the USAF says.

They have a launch weight of 190 pounds and an annular fragmentation warhead.

F-22 fighter jets also landed in the CENTCOM area of ​​responsibility

The arrival of the Super Hornet jets in the Middle East comes as part of a US military build-up in the region ahead of potential attacks by Iran and its proxies against Israel.

Iran has vowed to retaliate after the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, one of Hamas’ top leaders, in Tehran last week. Iran said Israel was behind the assassination.

Haniyeh was the leader of the political wing of Hamas, the armed group that controls Gaza and has been at war with Israel since the October 7 attacks.

US Central Command said in a post on X on Thursday that some F-22 Raptors also landed in its area of ​​responsibility.

USAF F-15E Strike Eagle fighter jets flying out of Jordan were key to Israel’s defense against Iran’s full-scale attack in April, when Tehran launched about 300 drones and missiles at Israel.