An F-22 Raptor from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., sits on the flightline while a Raptor launches from the Tyndall runway Dec. 10, 2015, during Checkered Flag 16-1. (Photo: Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa)
DoD Buzz: In Syria Strike, F-22 Raptor Once Again Left on Combat Sidelines
The F-22 Raptor is fast developing a reputation as the aircraft that gets left behind during combat ops.
The Air Force fifth-generation stealth fighter was not flying alongside a pair of B-1B Lancer bombers that dropped missiles on Syrian targets. Nor was it conducting overwatch in the area as the bombers for the first time deployed the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range in combat during Saturday's strikes against a chemical lab and two equipment facilities, according to U.S. Air Force Central Command.
"Among the options considered, leveraging the B-1B to launch stand-off weapons from outside Syrian airspace was the preferred [course of action] for a number of reasons, including minimal risk to aircrew and aircraft, and the precise destructive capability of the JASSM-ER," spokesman Lt. Col Damien Pickart told Military.com on Monday.
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WNU Editor: The F-22 may not have been directly used in last weeks' military strike in Syria, but I would not be surprised f there were a pair flying around eastern Syria for one of those "just in case" scenarios.
2 comments:
Most likely not wanting to play an Ace card if risk of a downed plane existed. At least not at this point in time.
Much ado about nothing. It's there. Any Russian/Syrian sortie threatening coalition assets would have to plan for it. Go ask those 200-300 Russian Little Green Men if the US goes light into battle.
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