US Air Force Flies F-35 Stealth Jets Over Morocco
The United States Air Force flew F-35A stealth fighters over Marrakech for the first time in Africa to mark the US-Morocco security alliance.
Two United States Air Force F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters conducted a flyby over the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakech on October 7, 2026. This event marked the first time the fifth-generation jet has flown in African skies and served as the centerpiece of the U.S. contribution to the Marrakech Airshow 2026.
A delegation of 45 U.S. military personnel participated in the exhibition, which runs through October 10. In addition to the F-35As, the U.S. showcased an HC-130J Super Hercules and a KC-135 Stratotanker. The deployment highlights a security partnership that has historically relied on F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules platforms, with the F-16s forming the core of Morocco's combat capabilities.
U.S. officials described the flyby as a demonstration of the enduring partnership between the two nations as they approach the 250th anniversary of their alliance. The event emphasized the objective of building partner forces capable of responding to a changing security environment.
