Satellite images: The United States withdrew dozens of military aircraft from the Udeid Air Base in Qatar
Satellite images show dozens of US military aircraft being withdrawn from the runway at the Udeid Air Base, one of the largest US bases in the Middle East, in a move aimed at protecting these assets from potential Iranian strikes.
Between June 5 and 19, 2025, the number of military aircraft visible at the Udeid Air Base declined significantly, according to satellite imagery analysis provided by Planet Labs PBC.
On June 5, there were around 40 military aircraft parked on the runway, including troop and equipment transport planes, reconnaissance aircraft, and C-130 Hercules special operations aircraft.
However, by June 19, only three aircraft remained visible on the runway.
The United States considered this move a precautionary measure in light of escalating regional tensions, issuing a memo advising its employees to exercise extreme caution and temporarily restricting access to the Udeid Air Base, according to a post on the US Embassy website in Qatar.
These steps come as Washington considers the possibility of military intervention in the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, with the US president expected to make a decision within the next two weeks.
The base raises significant concerns due to its proximity to the Iranian coast, which is only 300 kilometers away, making it vulnerable to direct or indirect strikes.
Retired US General Mark Schwartz, an expert at the RAND Corporation, emphasized that even Iranian missile fragments falling near the base could significantly disrupt its operations, making reducing the risk to US forces a top priority.
The aircraft removed from the runway are believed to have been either transferred to hangars within the base or to other US bases in the region.
A US Department of Defense official declined to disclose the specific locations, only confirming the US’s continued commitment to maintaining the highest levels of readiness and professionalism in its missions.
This development comes within the framework of a broad military mobilization in the region since the Israeli attack on Iran on June 13, 2025, with the arrival of an additional US aircraft carrier and intensive air movements.
