… is performing very well in its first ever combat missions bombing Islamic State forces over Iraq and Syria, service leaders said Sept. 15.
Praising its stealthy super-cruise speeds, maneuverability and ability to help other aircraft in the U.S.-led coalition, the Commander of Air Combat Command called the F-22 an “aerial quarterback” in the ongoing bombing efforts against ISIS. The F-22 formally entered efforts in Operation Inherent Resolve over Iraq and Sryia not long after the bombing campaign began.
Speaking at the Air Force Association Annual Air & Space Conference at National Harbor, Md., Gen. Hawk Carlisle said the exemplary performance of the F-22 underscores the fact that the Air Force has not built enough of the stealth fighters.
“If you look at how we are using them today and how they might be used in the future, we don’t have enough of them,” Carlisle said. “They are doing incredible work and what the airmen are doing flying those things is phenomenal.”
Carlisle said the Air Force currently has 180 F-22 fighters and that the service would be well served to have more of them moving into the future.
He cited the importance of keeping pace with or staying in front of potential rivals such as Russia and China who are each respectively developing stealth fighters. Carlisle mentioned the Chinese J-20 stealth fighter and Russia’s PAK-FA T-50 stealth aircraft of evidence that the U.S. Air Force will need to work vigorously to sustain its technological edge.
The F-22 will be needed to fly alongside and supplement the emerging F-35A Joint Strike Fighter which is slated to become operational next year.
