F-22 Raptor Flies First Combat Missions- Agains ISIS

[Cloud Cover]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/23/politics/f22-plane-isis/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Article doesn't state the type of missions flown, but I would guess it was an escort-air superiority type of mission.  Anyway, the world's most expensive fighter aircraft has dipped it's wings into what is likely to be an  ocean of small wars and conflicts over the life of the platform.

 

[vonGarvin]

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/23/politics/f22-plane-isis/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Article doesn't state the type of missions flown, but I would guess it was an escort-air superiority type of mission.  Anyway, the world's most expensive fighter aircraft has dipped it's wings into what is likely to be an  ocean of small wars and conflicts over the life of the platform.

Part of me (the cynical part) wonders if it was sent there deliberately for the very reason you mention above: it's dipped its wings into combat.

(The fact of the matter is that against little to no opposition, it's a bit of a circular argument to have a Gen 5 fighter.  But if when Ukraine goes hot, then seeing it in action against Soviet Russian generation 5 fighter the PAK-FA will be telling).

 

[CougarKing]

F-22 strikes already mentioned at the Syria superthread.

Plus a related article:

Defense News

Analysis: Long Road for F-22's First Combat Mission
Sep. 23, 2014 - 11:35AM  |  By AARON MEHTA

WASHINGTON — The F-22 Raptor has flown its first combat operation, a major milestone for the small air dominance fleet.

An Air Force official confirmed that the Raptor was used over Syria Monday during nighttime operations against the Islamic State (IS) and other militant groups as part of a joint force of US and Arabian Gulf region allies.

“A mix of US aircraft and aircraft from within the US Central Command area of operations conducted the strikes,” the Air Force official said in a statement. “We will not specify the exact numbers of US aircraft or the specific munitions they employed. However, the US aircraft participating in the operation included remotely piloted aircraft, F-15E, F-16, F/A-18 and F-22 fighters and B-1 bombers.

(...EDITED)

Mayville showed media at the Pentagon on Tuesday the effects of the F-22 strikes. Photos depicted a building in Raqqah, in north-central Syria, where the Islamic State militant group maintained a headquarters. The strike targeted only the right side, where the “command and control center” was, Mayville said.

source: washingtonpost