The F-22 Raptor Facts: 30 Things to Know

F-22 Has Active Missions in the Middle East

F-22 Raptors fly in formation during a training mission Dec. 9, 2009. The F-22s and crews are deployed from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and in the U.S. Air Forces Central area of responsibility for the first time as part of a multinational exercise where aircrews from France, Jordan, Pakistan and England.

The F-22s haven’t seen quite as much action as expected given their capabilities and cost of development, but they have provided valuable service nonetheless. It’s main duty to this point is intelligence gathering and surveillance of enemy targets. Between 2014 and 2015, F-22s flew over 200 sorties in Syria and delivered 270 bombs throughout around sixty locations. They also were involved in their first close air support mission when an air strike located close to friendly forces called for the precision and quickness only the F-22 could provide. The F-22 isn’t always the most practical aircraft for combat missions, but the military is thankful to have it when the need arises.