F-22 Raptors were used in U.S. airstrikes in Syria on Tuesday, a combat first for the stealth jet.
“The ultimate decision being made — that we are to use this aircraft against an adversary — is a unique and momentous decision for the United States Air Force,” an Air Force official told Fox News on Tuesday. The fighter jet was used in several airstrikes against the Islamic State group.
In addition to the aircraft’s stealth capabilities, it can also deliver its payload from 15 miles away.
“It has a unique ability to approach adversaries in a way legacy aircraft can’t,” the Air Force official added. “There are things the F-22 is uniquely suited to address that the other fighters in our inventory can’t.”
The Pentagon did not give details on what targets the Raptors hit, in part because officials are still conducting reviews of the airstrikes.
“We’re still assessing the effectiveness of these strikes, but we believe we hit what we were aiming at,” Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said during an appearance on MSNBC.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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