Hill Air Force Base F-35s Deployed to UK Amid Iran Tensions

Fighter jets from Utah base may play role in potential conflict with Iran

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Fighter jets from Hill Air Force Base in Utah have been deployed to Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the United Kingdom, signaling that Utah's military assets could be used in any potential conflict with Iran. The F-35 fighter jets from Hill's 421st Fighter Squadron were spotted landing at the British airbase, which is about 3,700 miles from Tehran, Iran's capital. While the Air Force is not commenting on the movements of the F-35s, experts say the fighters could be used to target Iran's air defenses and escort bombers in any future strikes against the country's nuclear sites.

Why it matters

The deployment of Hill Air Force Base's F-35s to the UK suggests Utah's military resources could play a key role in potential U.S. operations against Iran. This comes amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran, which have escalated in recent years. The F-35s were previously used in strikes against Iran in June 2026, and experts believe they could be employed similarly in any new attacks, though Iran may have gained intelligence to better defend against such operations.

The details

Photographer Mark Lynham captured images of 12 F-35 fighter jets from Hill's 421st Fighter Squadron landing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the UK on Thursday. The deployment of these advanced stealth fighters to a base closer to Iran indicates they may be positioned for potential strikes. While the Air Force is not commenting on the movements, experts say the F-35s could be used to target Iran's air defenses and escort B-2 bombers in attacks on the country's nuclear facilities, as they were in June 2026. However, Iran may have gained intelligence that could help them defend against such operations, potentially making any new strikes more dangerous for U.S. pilots.

  • On Thursday, F-35 fighter jets from Hill Air Force Base's 421st Fighter Squadron were spotted landing at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in the UK.
  • In June 2026, Hill's F-35s were deployed and used in strikes against Iran's air defenses and nuclear sites.

The players

Hill Air Force Base

A U.S. Air Force base located in Layton, Utah that is home to the 388th Fighter Wing, which includes the 421st Fighter Squadron that operates F-35 fighter jets.

Royal Air Force Lakenheath

A Royal Air Force station in Suffolk, England that hosts U.S. Air Force units, including fighter squadrons.

Dan Grazier

A former U.S. Marine Corps officer who is now a senior fellow and program director at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C. and has tracked the development of the F-35 fighter jet for years.

Greg Williams

The director of the Center For Defense Information at the Project On Government Oversight.

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What they’re saying

“Anytime somebody might be shooting at you - I don't know if you've ever been around when guns are going off – it's dangerous.”

— Greg Williams, Director of the Center For Defense Information at the Project On Government Oversight (fox13now.com)

“That said, the military tends to place a very high premium on the safety of our personnel, and so they tend to plan these, these engagements to minimize that danger.”

— Greg Williams, Director of the Center For Defense Information at the Project On Government Oversight (fox13now.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This deployment of Hill Air Force Base's F-35s to the UK highlights Utah's potential role in any future U.S. military operations against Iran, though experts warn that Iran may have gained intelligence that could make such strikes more dangerous for American pilots.