JERUSALEM, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military on Friday evacuated a squadron of its F-22 stealth fighter jets from Israel, Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported.
According to the report, the squadron, consisting of 12 F-22 stealth fighters, had been based in Israel since Feb. 23 in preparation for a U.S.-Israeli military attack in Iran launched five days later.
The aircraft were stationed at the Israeli Ovda air base and took part in strikes against targets in Iran, the report said.
The aircraft began their return to the United States, accompanied by aerial refueling tankers and with a stopover in Britain, according to Kan.
The channel said that the squadron's departure involved a major logistical operation, including the arrival of heavy transport aircraft at Ovda base to evacuate equipment, military personnel, and aircrews. ■
