Latest news with #MarkSchwartz
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Al Udeid Air Base Qatar: Why US is removing its troops from this base in Middle East amid Iran-Israel war
The United States has reportedly removed nearly 40 military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar between June 5 and June 19, according to satellite imagery, as the Iran-Israel conflict escalates. This is among the most significant drawdowns at the base, which is the largest American military installation in the Middle East. Security concerns prompt restricted access The U.S. Embassy in Qatar confirmed on Thursday that access to Al Udeid had been limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities." Personnel have been advised to remain alert due to the deteriorating security environment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Dividend Stocks for May 2025 Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo Base's location seen as risky 'Al Udeid would be extremely vulnerable due to its close proximity to Iran,' said Mark Schwartz, a former U.S. Army lieutenant general and defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. 'You want to reduce risk to U.S. forces, both personnel and equipment.' On June 5, satellite photos from Planet Labs PBC showed about 40 aircraft at the base, including C-130 Hercules transport planes and reconnaissance jets. By June 19, only three aircraft remained. Live Events — AhmadAlgohbary (@AhmadAlgohbary) US refuelling aircraft shift to Europe Flight tracking reviewed by AFP showed that between June 15 and June 18, at least 27 military refuelling aircraft, including KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotankers, flew from the U.S. to Europe. Twenty-five of these remained in Europe as of late Wednesday, indicating the U.S. could be positioning assets for extended-range operations. No disclosure of aircraft destination While it is unclear whether the aircraft have been moved to hardened shelters or other bases in the region, a U.S. defense official declined to disclose details, stating: 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.' — sentdefender (@sentdefender) US military posture on high alert American forces across the Middle East are on heightened alert. Families stationed at certain military bases have been given the option to evacuate voluntarily. Currently, around 40,000 U.S. troops are stationed across the region, up from a peacetime average of 30,000. Carrier groups redeployed toward Middle East To reinforce its posture, the U.S. is increasing its naval presence. A Navy official confirmed the USS Gerald R. Ford will depart Norfolk, Virginia, on June 24 for a deployment to the U.S. European Command area. The USS Carl Vinson strike group has already been operating in the region, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the USS Nimitz carrier group to head toward the Middle East 'to sustain our defensive posture and safeguard American personnel,' according to a senior defense official. White House still deciding on next steps President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he will decide within the next two weeks whether to authorize U.S. strikes on Iran. While he has supported Israel's ongoing operations, Trump said there remains a limited window for negotiations. He also remarked that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei would be an 'easy target.' Trump has previously pushed for a replacement to the 2015 nuclear deal, which he exited in 2018. In recent weeks, he has endorsed Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military leadership. Political resistance builds in Washington Several voices from within Trump's 'Make America Great Again' base have opposed deeper U.S. involvement, warning that such actions risk entangling the country in new long-term conflicts. Israel-Iran clash reaches new intensity The latest military exchange between Israel and Iran is among the most direct and intense in decades. Israel launched Operation Rising Sun, targeting nuclear and military facilities inside Iran. Iran has retaliated with missile and drone strikes against Israeli targets. The escalation has raised concerns of a broader regional war and drawn global attention.
Leaders
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
US Military Aircrafts Vanish from Qatar Base Amid Iran Tensions
Recent satellite images have revealed that a significant reduction in the number of US military aircraft at a major base in Qatar, indicating a strategic move to protect these assets from potential Iranian strikes. As tensions rise, Washington considers its response to the ongoing conflict between Tehran and Israel. Planet Labs PBC satellite images analyzed by AFP show that Nearly 40 planes, including C-130 transporters and reconnaissance jets, vanished between 5-19 June, leaving only three aircraft remaining visible. This drastic reduction raises questions about the US military's operational strategy in the region. Moreover, the US embassy in Qatar announced on Thursday restricting access to the base 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities.' The embassy urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance' amid escalating tensions. Additionally, the White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will decide within the next two weeks whether to support Israel's strikes on Iran. If the US intervenes, the Islamic Republic may retaliate by targeting US bases throughout the region. Vulnerability of US Forces Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, emphasized the vulnerability of personnel and aircraft at Al Udeid. He noted that the base's 'close proximity' to Iran poses significant risks. Schwartz explained that even minor damage could render aircraft 'non-mission capable.' The aircraft that have left the tarmac since early June may have been relocated to hangars or other bases in the region. A US defense official declined to discuss specific asset positioning but stated, 'We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality, and professionalism.' Increased Military Mobilization US forces in the Middle East have mobilized since Israel's initial strikes on Iran nearly a week ago. An additional aircraft carrier is en route, and significant aircraft movements have occurred. An analysis of open-source data tracking aircraft positioning revealed that at least 27 military refueling planes traveled from the United States to Europe between 15-18 June. As of late Wednesday, 25 of these planes remained in Europe, with only two returning to American soil, underscoring the heightened state of alert in the region. The sudden aircraft withdrawal reflects Washington's balancing act: shielding assets while navigating Israel's conflict with Iran. As Trump weighs intervention, every strategic shift, from Qatar to Europe, highlights the stakes of avoiding direct confrontation in a volatile region. Short link : Post Views: 17
Iraqi News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar
Washington – Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show — a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Between June 5 and 19, nearly all of the aircraft visible at the Al Udeid base are no longer anywhere in plain sight, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. Nearly 40 military aircraft — including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft — were parked on the tarmac on June 5. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited 'out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities,' and urged personnel to 'exercise increased vigilance.' The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be 'extremely vulnerable' given its 'close proximity' to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft 'non-mission capable.' 'You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment,' he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. The US military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes — KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes — traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US military aircraft no longer visible at base in Qatar: satellite images
Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show -- a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Nearly 40 military aircraft -- including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft -- were parked on the tarmac at the Al Udeid base on June 5, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities," and urged personnel to "exercise increased vigilance." The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be "extremely vulnerable" given its "close proximity" to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft "non-mission capable." "You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment," he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. A US defense official would not discuss the specific positioning of assets but told AFP: "We remain committed to maintaining operational security while executing our mission with the highest level of readiness, lethality and professionalism." US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes -- KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes -- traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed. pa-ys-ube/sst/acb
NDTV
20-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
US Military Jets No Longer Visible At Qatar Base, Show Satellite Images
Washington: Dozens of US military aircraft are no longer on the tarmac at a major US base in Qatar, satellite images show -- a possible move to shield them from eventual Iranian air strikes, as Washington weighs whether to intervene in Tehran's conflict with Israel. Between June 5 and 19, nearly all of the aircraft visible at the Al Udeid base are no longer anywhere in plain sight, according to images published by Planet Labs PBC and analyzed by AFP. Nearly 40 military aircraft -- including transport planes like the Hercules C-130 and reconnaissance aircraft -- were parked on the tarmac on June 5. In an image taken on June 19, only three aircraft are visible. The US embassy in Qatar announced Thursday that access to the base would be limited "out of an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities," and urged personnel to "exercise increased vigilance." The White House says US President Donald Trump will decide sometime in the next two weeks whether to join ally Israel's strikes on Iran. The Islamic republic could then respond by striking US bases in the region. Mark Schwartz, a former lieutenant general in the US Army and a defense researcher at the Rand Corporation, said the personnel, aircraft and installations at Al Udeid would be "extremely vulnerable" given its "close proximity" to Iran. Schwartz, who served in the Middle East, told AFP that even shrapnel could render the aircraft "non-mission capable." "You want to reduce risk to US forces, both personnel and equipment," he said. The planes that have left the tarmac since early June could have been moved to hangars or to other bases in the region. The US military did not immediately respond to an AFP request for comment. US forces in the Middle East have been mobilized since Israel's first strikes on Iran nearly a week ago, with an additional aircraft carrier en route and significant aircraft movement. An AFP analysis of open source data tracking aircraft positioning showed that at least 27 military refueling planes -- KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker planes -- traveled from the United States to Europe from June 15-18. Twenty-five of them were still in Europe as of late Wednesday, with only two returning to American soil, the data showed.
