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380AEW Article

Raptors deliver kinetic, situational awareness capabilities against ISIL

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher Boitz
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
As Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve continues the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant forces, an aircraft that was once controversial has quietly become one of the U.S.-led Coalition’s most reliable combat assets.

The F-22 Raptor, the U.S. Air Force’s premier fighter aircraft, continues to leave its mark against ISIL militants in contested regions of Iraq and Syria.

“The F-22’s first combat strike came in September of last year. Even though that was the Raptor’s first kinetic strike, F-22's have been operational for 10 years,” said Lt. Col. J, Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. “It has been achieving effects as a strategic deterrent since it became operational in 2005. When you move an F-22 squadron into theater, it gets noticed. The F-22 can have a profound effect even without kinetic action.”

The F-22 is an advanced aircraft which combines stealth and integrated sensor capabilities along with unmatched speed and maneuverability to project air dominance. While the Raptor is only operated by the U.S. Air Force, it provides air superiority for Army, Navy and Marine Corps joint operations, as well as for U.S. Coalition partners and allies around the world.

“We are operating regularly in Iraq and Syria. The F-22’s advanced sensors and low-observable characteristics enable us to operate much closer to non-coalition surface-to-air missiles and fighter aircraft with little risk of detection,” said Lt. Col. J. “We provide increased situational awareness for other coalition aircraft while simultaneously delivering precision air-to-ground weapons. This allows us to reduce the risk to our forces while mitigating the risk to civilian casualties, one of our highest priorities in this conflict. It is a true multirole aircraft.”

The advanced fighter is designed to engage in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and can employ a multitude of dynamic munitions without having to be in close proximity of the targets.

“The Raptor can carry up to 8 small diameter bombs which have been successfully employed against key ISIL targets. It is extremely accurate from very long distances and has the lowest collateral damage potential of any weapon in our inventory,” said Lt. Col. J. “F-22 strikes also send a strategic message, reassuring our allies and hopefully dissuading any would-be adversaries.”

“In addition to flying combat missions in Operation Inherent Resolve, the Raptors in Southwest Asia are prepared to provide air dominance for any future contingency operations. F-22's were designed to strike deep into enemy territory while clearing the airspace for follow on forces. We are the sole platform in this theater that guarantees air dominance for our joint and coalition partners; we take that responsibility very seriously.”

As F-22 combat aviators continue to pilot the Raptor through training sorties and in to wartime missions, they demonstrate the effectiveness of the fifth-generation aircraft and how it’s a vital asset to combatant commanders.

“The F-22 is ready to go where ever we are needed. It is a weapon system with truly global reach.” said Lt. Col. J. “If we are called upon, we will be ready to go anywhere in the world. We’ll continue to train for the high-end fight, but our capabilities are relevant in this current fight; we will continue to help our team any way we can.”

(Editor’s note: Due to safety and security reasons, last names and unit designators were removed.)