Satellite images show American military planes missing from a vulnerable base as the US fortifies its Middle East presence
pstein@businessinsider.com (Jake Epstein)
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This June 5, 2025, image shows rows of aircraft parked at Al Udeid airbase in Qatar Planet Labs PBC© Planet Labs PBC
- Dozens of US military aircraft have departed from a key base in the Middle East.
- The base, Al Udeid in Qatar, could be vulnerable to Iranian strikes.
- Tehran has threatened retaliation if the US joins Israel's bombing campaign in Iran.
New satellite imagery shows dozens of US military aircraft missing from a key Middle Eastern base that could be vulnerable to Iranian strikes if American forces join the conflict with Israel.
In a June 5 image, captured by the US commercial satellite imaging company Planet Labs and reviewed by Business Insider, around 40 aircraft of various types can be seen parked on the tarmac at the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar.
But only three aircraft could be seen on the tarmac in another image captured on Thursday.
This June 5, 2025, image shows dozens of aircraft parked at Al Udeid in Qatar. Planet Labs PBC© Planet Labs PBC
Nearly all the aircraft had left by June 19, 2025, except for a few spotted in the bottom circle. Planet Labs PBC© Planet Labs PBC
The move's purpose is unclear, but the large-scale aircraft departure could be a possible move to protect them from Iranian retaliatory attacks if the US military joins Israel in carrying out offensive strikes against Tehran's nuclear program.
Iran's supreme leader has threatened the US, warning it not to intervene in the conflict, which is entering its second week. Al Udeid, America's largest base in the Middle East and located just across the Persian Gulf, could be a prime target for Tehran, along with other nearby military installations.
Al Udeid hosts a number of military assets, including the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's airlift, aerial refueling, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. The air base supports a vast array of US aircraft, including B-52 strategic bombers, C-17 Globemaster transports and RC-135 Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft.
Al Udeid is the largest US military base in the Middle East. US Air Force/Capt. Mahalia Frost, via AP© US Air Force/Capt. Mahalia Frost, via AP
Agence France-Presse first reported the dispersal of US aircraft from Al Udeid. US Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, did not provide comment.
President Donald Trump has hinted in recent days that the US could join Israel's campaign. There has been speculation that such action could involve sending in B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to drop the massive bunker-buster munitions on Iran's hardened Fordow nuclear facility. |
