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I have written plenty about the sad demise of one of the most controversial weapon system programs: the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor fighter program.
The $66.7 billion program was cancelled in 2009 by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates after only 187 aircraft had been ordered, in spite of the Air Force wanting to build 750 of them and in spite of the U.S. Air Force claiming that the F-22 with “Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability,” represented “an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities” and “cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.”
Well, despite its capabilities, the Lockheed Martin-built F-22 sat out both the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars and has not been used in other conflicts.
But last night, the stealthy F-22A Raptor finally saw its first combat, nine years after the first F-22s entered service with the U.S. Air Force.
A second wave consisting of F-22 Raptors in their first combat role, F-15 Strike Eagles, F-16s, B-1 bombers and drones was launched from bases in the region around 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time against targets in northern Syria. The targets included ISIL headquarters, training camps barracks and combat vehicles.
Lieutenant General William Mayville, director of Operations J3, described the results in a press briefing this morning:
The second picture [above]shows an ISIL command and control building in Raqqah that was targeted by U.S. Air Force F-22s during the second wave of strikes. This strike was the first time the F-22 was used in a combat role. The flight of the F-22s delivered GPS-guided munitions, precision munitions targeting, again, only the right side of the building. You can see on the left-hand side, the before shot, and then you can see as you look at it on the right-hand side, the after shot.
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And you can see that the control — the command and control center where it was located in the building was destroyed.
Perhaps the magnificent Raptor will finally be vindicated.
Lead photo:A U.S. Air Force F-22 maneuvers after being in-air refueled April 25, 2014, over the U.S. Central Command Area of responsibility by a KC-135 Stratotanker and aircrew from the 340th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr.)
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.