Editing Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (section)

==Operational history==
===Introduction into service===
[[File:Aircraft Combat Archer (2565196807).jpg|thumb|An F-22 fires an AIM-120 AMRAAM|alt=Jet fighter flying above a streaking missile, which had moments earlier been released by the former.]]

The F-22 underwent extensive testing before its service introduction. While the first production aircraft was delivered to Edwards AFB in October 2002 for IOT&E and the first jet for the 422nd TES at Nellis AFB arrived in January 2003, IOT&E was continually pushed back from its planned start in mid-2003, with mission avionics stability being particularly challenging.{{refn|In 2002–2003, the F-22's software reliability was highly inadequate, needing to initiate an avionics system restart (which took minutes to cycle) every 1.9 hours despite the requirement for "mean-time between instability events" being over 20 hours. The integrated avionics software was frequently "crashing" and requiring in-flight reboots.<ref name="Miller2005pp64-65"/>|group=N}}<ref name="FI_08_Sep_2003">{{cite web |last=Warwick |first=Graham |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/ready-or-not-/50557.article |title=Ready or not... |work=Flight International |date=8 September 2003 |publisher=Reed Business Information <!--|archive-url= |archive-date=-->}}</ref> Following a preliminary assessment, called OT&E Phase 1, formal IOT&E began in April 2004 and was completed in December of that year. This milestone marked the successful demonstration of the jet's air-to-air mission capability, although the jet was more maintenance intensive than expected.<ref name="Miller2005pp64-65">Miller 2005, pp.&nbsp;64-65.</ref> A Follow-On OT&E (FOT&E) in 2005 cleared the F-22's air-to-ground mission capability.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/1008f22/ |title=F-22 Raptor Clears FOT&E |work=Air Force Magazine |date=13 January 2006 |access-date=21 December 2022 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221230434/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/1008f22/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

The first combat ready F-22 of the 1st Fighter Wing arrived at [[Langley Air Force Base|Langley AFB]], Virginia in January 2005 and that December, the USAF announced that the aircraft had achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with the 94th Fighter Squadron.<ref name="Tyndall2">{{cite web |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/132463/f-22a-raptor-goes-operational/ |title=F-22A Raptor goes operational |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=15 December 2005 |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425021318/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/132463/f-22a-raptor-goes-operational.aspx |archive-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> The unit subsequently participated in [[Exercise Northern Edge]] 06 in Alaska in June 2006 and Exercise [[Red Flag (USAF)|Red Flag]] 07–2 at Nellis AFB in February 2007, where it demonstrated the F-22's greatly increased air combat capabilities when flying against Red Force [[Aggressor squadron|Aggressor]] F-15s and F-16s with a simulated kill ratio of 108–0. These large force exercises also further refined the F-22's operational tactics and employment.<ref name="afpn_20060623_ad" /><ref name="flag">{{cite magazine |last=Schanz |first=Marc V. |url=http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2007/May%202007/0507world.aspx |title=Aerospace World: Red Flag Raptors |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080501092440/http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2007/May%202007/0507world.aspx |archive-date=1 May 2008 |magazine=Air Force Magazine |date=May 2007 |url-status=usurped |access-date=9 February 2008}}</ref>

The F-22 achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) in December 2007, when General [[John D. W. Corley|John Corley]] of [[Air Combat Command]] (ACC) officially declared the F-22s of the integrated active duty [[1st Fighter Wing]] and [[Virginia Air National Guard]] [[192nd Fighter Wing]] fully operational.<ref>{{cite web |author=Hopper, David |title=F-22s at Langley receive FOC status |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/124869/f-22s-at-langley-receive-foc-status/ |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=12 December 2007 |access-date=1 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160425011148/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/124869/f-22s-at-langley-receive-foc-status.aspx |archive-date=25 April 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by an Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) of the integrated wing in April 2008, in which it was rated "excellent" in all categories, with a simulated kill-ratio of 221–0.<ref>{{cite web |last=((2nd Lt. Schultz)) |first=Georganne E. |url=https://www.jble.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/259671/langley-earns-excellent-in-ori/ |title=Langley earns "excellent" in ORI |work=1st Fighter Wing |date=22 April 2007 |access-date=9 May 2010 |archive-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422011919/https://www.jble.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/259671/langley-earns-excellent-in-ori/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> The fielding of the F-22 with its precision strike capability also contributed to the retirement of the F-117 from operational service in 2008, with the [[49th Fighter Wing]] operating the F-22 for a brief period prior to a series of fleet consolidations to reduce long term operational costs;<ref>{{cite news |last=Topolsky |first=Joshua |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/03/11/f-117-stealth-fighters-to-make-final-flight-no-one-will-know-abo/ |title=Air Force's stealth fighters making final flights |publisher=CNN |date=11 March 2008}}</ref> further consolidations to improve availability and pilot training were recommended by the Government Accountability Office in 2018.<ref>{{cite report |url=https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-18-190 |title=Force Structure: F-22 Organization and Utilization Changes Could Improve Aircraft Availability and Pilot Training (GAO-18-190) |date=19 July 2018 |publisher=U.S. Government Accountability Office}}</ref>

===Training===
[[File:F-15 and F-22.JPG|thumb|left|2005: An F-22 of the [[43rd Fighter Squadron]] flies alongside an [[F-15]] of the [[27th Fighter Squadron]].]]

The [[43rd Fighter Squadron]] was reactivated in 2002 as the F-22 Formal Training Unit (FTU) for the type's basic course at [[Tyndall Air Force Base|Tyndall AFB]] and the first aircraft for pilot training was delivered in September 2003. Following severe damage to the installation in the wake of [[Hurricane Michael]] in 2018, the squadron and its aircraft were relocated to nearby Eglin AFB; although it was initially feared that several jets were lost due to storm damage, all were later repaired and flown out.<ref>{{cite web |last=Cohen |first=Rachel |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/06/14/a-perfect-storm-airmen-f-22s-struggle-at-eglin-nearly-three-years-after-hurricane-michael/ |title='A perfect storm': Airmen, F-22s struggle at Eglin nearly three years after Hurricane Michael |work=Air Force Times |date=13 June 2021 |access-date=20 December 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313155357/https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/06/14/a-perfect-storm-airmen-f-22s-struggle-at-eglin-nearly-three-years-after-hurricane-michael/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The FTU and its aircraft were reassigned to the [[71st Fighter Squadron]] at Langley AFB in 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3315512/f-22-raptor-ftu-begins-move-to-jble/ |title=F-22 Raptor FTU begins move to JBLE |work=U.S. Air Force (Air Combat Command) |date=1 March 2023 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=11 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311014706/https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3315512/f-22-raptor-ftu-begins-move-to-jble/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2014, B-Course students require 38 sorties to graduate (previously 43 sorties). Track 1 course pilots, pilots retraining from other aircraft, also saw a reduction in the number of sorties needed to graduate, from 19 to 12 sorties.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Camelo |first1=Maj. Wilson |title=Tyndall AFB takes F-22 pilot training to next level |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/486936/tyndall-afb-takes-f-22-pilot-training-to-next-level/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Air Force |date=30 July 2014}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> F-22 students are first trained on the [[Northrop T-38 Talon|T-38 Talon]] trainer aircraft. Additional pilot training takes place on the F-16 because the aging T-38 is not rated to sustain higher G-forces and lacks modern avionics.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Freed |first1=David |title=Meet the Jets Competing to Become the Next Air Force Trainer |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/air-space-magazine/t-38-replacements-180967111/ |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Smithsonian Magazine |date=December 2017 |language=en}}</ref> Due to a lack of a modern trainer stand-in that can accurately emulate the F-22, the Air Force often uses F-22s to supplement training, which is costly as the F-22 costs almost 10 times more than the T-38 per flight hour.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ludwigson |first1=Jon |title=Advanced Pilot Trainer Program Success Hinges on Better Managing Its Schedule and Providing Oversight |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-23-106205.pdf |access-date=2 March 2024 |work=Government Accountability Organization |date=May 2023 |pages=24–25}}</ref> The upcoming [[Boeing–Saab T-7 Red Hawk|T-7 Red Hawk]] features modern avionics that better approximate those of the F-22 and F-35.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Losey |first1=Stephen |title=With T-7 on the way, why is ACC eyeing a new trainer? |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2021/12/01/with-t-7-on-the-way-why-is-acc-eyeing-a-new-trainer/ |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Defense News |date=1 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref> This is scheduled to enter initial operating capability in 2027, several years behind schedule.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Losey |first1=Stephen |title=Key milestone for new Boeing trainer aircraft delayed to 2027 |url=https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/04/28/key-milestone-for-new-boeing-trainer-aircraft-delayed-to-2027/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%94%20Boeing's%20T%2D7A%20jet,escape%20system%20and%20ejection%20seat. |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Defense News |date=28 April 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2014 the Air Force stood up the [[2nd Fighter Training Squadron]] at Tyndall AFB which was equipped with T-38s to serve as [[Aggressor squadron|adversary aircraft]] to reduce adversary training flights on the F-22s.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Albon |first1=Courtney |title=Graduating 28-30 students per year: F-22 Training Squadron Healthy As Operational Deployments Grow |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24803751 |access-date=3 March 2024 |work=Inside the Air Force |issue=40 |publisher=Inside Defense |date=2015 |volume=26 |pages=3–4|jstor=24803751 }}</ref> To reduce operating costs and prolong the F-22's service life, some pilot training sorties are performed using flight simulators.<ref name="tyndalltraining"/> The advanced F-22 weapons instructor course at [[USAF Weapons School]] is conducted by the [[433rd Weapons Squadron]] at Nellis AFB.<ref name="433d Weapons Squadron."/>

===Initial operational problems===
During the initial years of service, F-22 pilots experienced symptoms as a result of oxygen system issues that include loss of consciousness, memory loss, [[emotional lability]] and neurological changes as well as lingering respiratory problems and a chronic cough; the issues resulted in a fatal mishap in 2010 and four-month grounding in 2011 and subsequent altitude and distance flight restrictions.<ref name="Cox">Cox, Bob. "Despite investigation, safety concerns linger on F-22." ''Star Telegram'', 25 August 2012.</ref><ref name=CBS_60min>Sughrue, Karen (producer) and [[Lesley Stahl]]. [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-the-air-forces-f-22-fighter-jet-making-pilots-sick/ "Is the Air Force's F-22 fighter jet making pilots sick?"] ''[[60 Minutes]]: CBS News'', 6 May 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.</ref> In August 2012, the DoD found that the BRAG valve, which inflated the pilot's vest during high-''g'' maneuvers, was defective and restricted breathing and the OBOGS (onboard oxygen generation system) unexpectedly fluctuated oxygen levels at high ''g''.<ref>{{Citation |url= http://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/08/01/air-force-confident-f22-oxygen-riddle-solved.html |newspaper= Military |title= Air Force Confident F-22 Oxygen Riddle Solved |first= Michael |last= Hoffman |date= 1 August 2012 |access-date= 28 April 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190330170855/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2012/08/01/air-force-confident-f22-oxygen-riddle-solved.html |archive-date= 30 March 2019 |url-status=live |df= dmy-all}}</ref><ref>Fabey, Michael. [http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/asd_10_12_2012_p03-02-506094.xml "USAF Still Reviewing Oxygen Concentration Levels For F-22 Cockpit."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419120544/http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=%2Farticle-xml%2Fasd_10_12_2012_p03-02-506094.xml |date=19 April 2013}} ''Aerospace Daily & Defense Report'', 12 October 2012.</ref> A Raptor Aeromedical Working Group had recommended changes in 2005 regarding oxygen supply that were unfunded but received further consideration in 2012.<ref>Talmadge, Eric. [https://web.archive.org/web/20121001003217/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ap-impact-air-force-insiders-foresaw-f-22-084352828.html "AP Impact: Air Force insiders foresaw F-22 woes."] Associated Press, 27 September 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Axe |first=David |url=https://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/09/f-22-oxygen-unsolved/ |title=Stealth Fighter's Oxygen Woes Still A Mystery, Air Force Admits |magazine=Wired |date=13 September 2012 |access-date=1 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203153739/http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/09/f-22-oxygen-unsolved/ |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> The F-22 CTF and 412th Aerospace Medicine Squadron eventually determined breathing restrictions as the root cause; coughing symptoms were attributed to acceleration [[atelectasis]]{{refn|Atelectasis is the collapse or closure of a lung resulting in reduced or absent gas exchange.|group=N}} from high ''g'' exposure and OBOGS delivering [[Oxygen toxicity|excessive oxygen concentration]]. The presence of toxins and particles in some ground crew was deemed unrelated.<ref name=physio>[http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg76215/html/CHRG-112hhrg76215.htm "H.A.S.C. No. 112-154, F-22 pilot physiological issues."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925121602/https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-112hhrg76215/html/CHRG-112hhrg76215.htm |date=25 September 2018}} '' GPO''. Retrieved 16 August 2013.</ref> Modifications to the life support and oxygen systems, including the installation of an automatic backup, allowed altitude and distance restrictions to be lifted in April 2013.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mowry |first=Laura |url=https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/story/id/123344796/ |title=Edwards Airmen vital to Raptor's return |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=17 April 2013 |access-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603082323/http://www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123344796 |archive-date=3 June 2013}}</ref>

===Operational service===
[[File:Raptor and TU-95.jpg|thumb|An F-22 from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, intercepting a Russian [[Tupolev Tu-95]] bomber near American airspace |alt=Aerial port view of two aircraft in flight, one on top of the other. The bottom aircraft is a four-engined propeller-driven aircraft, which is escorted by a jet fighter.]]

Following IOC and large-scale exercises, the F-22 flew its first homeland defense mission in January 2007 under [[Operation Noble Eagle]]. In November 2007, F-22s of 90th Fighter Squadron at [[Elmendorf AFB]], Alaska, performed their first [[North American Aerospace Defense Command]] (NORAD) interception of two Russian [[Tupolev Tu-95|Tu-95MS]] bombers.<ref>[http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2007/December%202007/December%2014%202007/1025raptor.aspx "Raptors Perform First Intercept of Russian Bombers."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106190249/http://www.airforcemag.com/DRArchive/Pages/2007/December%202007/December%2014%202007/1025raptor.aspx |date=6 November 2018}} ''Air Force Magazine'', Daily Report, 14 December 2007. Retrieved 9 May 2010.</ref> Since then, F-22s have also escorted probing [[Tupolev Tu-160|Tu-160]] bombers.<ref>{{cite web|date=26 March 2010|title=Russia denies violating British Air Space|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/60234/russia-denies-violating-british-air.html|access-date=11 October 2021|website=[[Deccan Herald]]|location=Moscow|archive-date=11 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011020318/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/60234/russia-denies-violating-british-air.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The F-22 was first deployed overseas in February 2007 with the 27th Fighter Squadron to [[Kadena Air Base]] in Okinawa, Japan.<ref>[http://airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603 "12 F-22 Raptors deployed to Japan."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329222718/http://airrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=603 |date=29 March 2019}} ''Air Recognition'', 14 January 2013.{{unreliable source|date=February 2024}}</ref> This first overseas deployment was initially marred by problems when six F-22s flying from [[Hickam AFB]], Hawaii, experienced multiple software-related system failures while crossing the [[International Date Line]] ([[180th meridian]] of [[longitude]]). The aircraft returned to Hawaii by following [[Aerial refueling|tanker aircraft]]. Within 48 hours, the error was resolved and the journey resumed.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wastnage |first=Justin |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-navigational-software-glitch-forces-lockheed-martin-f-22-raptors-back-to-hawaii-212102/ |title=Navigational software glitch forces Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors back to Hawaii, abandoning first foreign deployment to Japan |work=FlightGlobal |date=14 February 2007 |access-date=11 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516202745/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-navigational-software-glitch-forces-lockheed-martin-f-22-raptors-back-to-hawaii-212102/ |archive-date=16 May 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Raptors_arrive>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/News/story/storyID/123041567/ |last=Johnson |first=Maj. Dani |title=Raptors arrive at Kadena |publisher=US Air Force |date=19 February 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100626180609/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123041567 |archive-date=26 June 2010}}</ref> Kadena would be a frequent rotation for F-22 units; they have also been involved in training exercises in South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/01/us-reportedly-sends-f-22-jets-to-join-south-korea-drills/ |title=US sends F-22 jets to join South Korea drills |publisher=Fox News |date=1 April 2013 |access-date=31 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110131207/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/04/01/us-reportedly-sends-f-22-jets-to-join-south-korea-drills/ |archive-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mahadzir |first=Dzirhan |place=Kuala Lumpur |url=http://www.janes.com/article/38842/f-22s-land-in-malaysia-for-first-southeast-asian-exercise |title=F-22s land in Malaysia for first Southeast Asian exercise |newspaper=Jane's 360 |publisher=IHS |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=29 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140615153200/http://www.janes.com/article/38842/f-22s-land-in-malaysia-for-first-southeast-asian-exercise |archive-date=15 June 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Perez |first1=Zamone |last2=Simkins |first2=Jon |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2023/03/21/us-f-22s-land-in-philippines-for-first-time-furthering-defense-ties/ |title=US F-22s land in Philippines for first time, furthering defense ties |work=Air Force Times |date=21 March 2023}}</ref>

Defense Secretary Gates initially refused to deploy F-22s to the Middle East in 2007;<ref>Clark, Colin. [http://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/06/30/gates-opposed-af-plans-to-deploy-f-22-to-iraq/ "Gates Opposed AF Plans to Deploy F-22 to Iraq."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004144026/http://www.dodbuzz.com/2008/06/30/gates-opposed-af-plans-to-deploy-f-22-to-iraq/ |date=4 October 2011}} ''DOD Buzz'', 30 June 2008. Retrieved 31 August 2011.</ref> the type made its first deployment in the region at [[Al Dhafra Air Base]] in the UAE in 2009. In April 2012, F-22s have been rotating into Al Dhafra, less than 200 miles from Iran.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Butler |first=Amy |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/uae-based-f-22s-signal-iran |title=UAE-based F-22s a Signal to Iran |work=Aviation Week |date=12 April 2012 |access-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715000219/http://aviationweek.com/defense/uae-based-f-22s-signal-iran |archive-date=15 July 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Munoz, Carlos. [https://thehill.com/policy/defense/112835-reports-dod-deploys-f-22-fighters-near-iranian-border/ "Reports: DOD deploys F-22 fighters near Iranian border".] ''The Hill'', 27 April 2012.</ref> In March 2013, the USAF announced that an F-22 had intercepted an Iranian F-4 Phantom II that approached within 16 miles of an [[MQ-1 Predator]] flying off the Iranian coastline.<ref name="iranf4">{{cite web |url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/09/17/welsh-f22-flew-to-drones-rescue-off-iran-coast.html?comp=700001075741&rank=6 |title=F-22 Flew to Drone's Rescue off Iran Coast |newspaper=Military |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427135504/http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/09/17/welsh-f22-flew-to-drones-rescue-off-iran-coast.html?comp=700001075741&rank=6 |archive-date=27 April 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:F-22-Refuel-3.jpg|thumb|upright|left|An F-22 [[Aerial refueling|refueling]] prior to combat operations in Syria, September 2014]]
On 22 September 2014, F-22s performed the type's first combat sorties by conducting some of the opening strikes of [[Operation Inherent Resolve]], the [[American-led intervention in Syria]]; aircraft dropped 1,000-pound GPS-guided bombs on [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] targets near [[Tishrin Dam]].<ref name=AW_first_grd_atarget>{{cite web |last=Butler |first=Amy |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/f-22-s-takes-first-shot-against-ground-not-air-target |title=F-22s takes first shot against ground, not air target |work=Aviation week |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410062526/https://aviationweek.com/defense/f-22-s-takes-first-shot-against-ground-not-air-target |archive-date=10 April 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/inside-cockpit-flying-f-22-against-islamic-state-syria |title=Inside The Cockpit: Flying The F-22 Against Islamic State in Syria |date=23 May 2017 |author=Lara Seligman |author2=Aaron Smith |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |access-date=28 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728160939/http://aviationweek.com/defense/inside-cockpit-flying-f-22-against-islamic-state-syria |archive-date=28 July 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Between September 2014 and July 2015, F-22s flew 204 sorties over Syria, dropping 270 bombs at some 60 locations.<ref>[http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/07/21/f22-raptor-ensures-other-war-fighting-aircraft-survive-syria.html F-22 Raptor Ensures other War-Fighting Aircraft Survive Over Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330104940/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/07/21/f22-raptor-ensures-other-war-fighting-aircraft-survive-syria.html |date=30 March 2019}} – Military.com, 21 July 2015</ref> Throughout their deployment, F-22s conducted close air support (CAS) and also deterred Syrian, Iranian, and Russian aircraft from attacking U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and disrupting U.S. operations in the region.<ref>[https://www.afcent.af.mil/Units/380th-Air-Expeditionary-Wing/News/Display/Article/616369/f-22-adapts-to-oir-conflict-cleared-hot-in-iraq-syria/ F-22 adapts to OIR conflict, 'Cleared Hot' in Iraq, Syria]  – AF.mil, 7 September 2015</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/19/politics/syria-bombing-us-forces/index.html|title=Aerial close encounter between US, Syrian jets|first1=Barbara|last1=Starr|first2=Ryan|last2=Browne|publisher=CNN|access-date=20 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411211207/https://www.cnn.com/2016/08/19/politics/syria-bombing-us-forces/index.html|archive-date=11 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lockie |first=Alex |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/11/06/f-22-stealth-jets-got-587-aircraft-to-back-off-in-their-combat-surge-over-syria/ |title=F-22 stealth jets got 587 aircraft to back off in their combat surge over Syria |newspaper=Air Force Times |date=6 November 2018 |access-date=13 March 2023 |archive-date=13 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230313155356/https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2018/11/06/f-22-stealth-jets-got-587-aircraft-to-back-off-in-their-combat-surge-over-syria/ |url-status=live}}</ref> F-22s also participated in the [[Battle of Khasham|U.S. strikes]] that defeated pro-[[Al-Assad family|Assad]] and Russian [[Wagner Group]] paramilitary forces near [[Khasham]] in eastern Syria on 7 February 2018.<ref>[https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/us-strikes-pro-regime-forces-syria/index.html US-led coalition strikes kill pro-regime forces in Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430231909/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/07/politics/us-strikes-pro-regime-forces-syria/index.html |date=30 April 2018}} CNN, 8 February 2018.</ref><ref name="Pawlyk 2018">{{cite web |last=Pawlyk |first=Oriana |title=US Scrambles Firepower to Defend SDF Against Pro-Assad Forces |website=[[Military.com]] |date=8 February 2018 |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/02/08/us-scrambles-firepower-defend-sdf-against-pro-assad-forces.html |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330104927/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/02/08/us-scrambles-firepower-defend-sdf-against-pro-assad-forces.html |archive-date=30 March 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="harrigianstatement">[https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/1441080/department-of-defense-press-briefing-by-lieutenant-general-harrigian-via-teleco/ News Transcript: Department Of Defense Press Briefing by Lieutenant General Harrigian via teleconference from Al Udeid Airbase, Qatar: Press Operations: Lieutenant General Jeffrey Harrigian, commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command]  U.S. Department of Defense, 13 February 2018.</ref> These strikes notwithstanding, the F-22's main role in the operation was conducting [[Intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance|intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20141004152023/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140929/DEFREG02/309290029/F-22-Continuing-Operations-Syria F-22 Continuing Operations in Syria] – Defensenews.com, 29 September 2014</ref> The aircraft also performed missions in other regions of the Middle East; in November 2017, F-22s operating alongside [[Boeing B-52 Stratofortress|B-52]]s bombed [[opium]] production and storage facilities in [[Taliban]]-controlled regions of Afghanistan.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nichols|first1=Hans|last2=Gains|first2=Mosheh|title=U.S. bombs Afghan opium plants in new strategy to cut Taliban funds|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-bombs-afghan-opium-plants-new-strategy-cut-taliban-n822506|access-date=20 November 2017|publisher=NBC News|date=20 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120173046/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/u-s-bombs-afghan-opium-plants-new-strategy-cut-taliban-n822506|archive-date=20 November 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="F22cost2019">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47861444 |title=How the US military's opium war in Afghanistan was lost |publisher=BBC |date=25 April 2019 |page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426182832/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-47861444 |archive-date=26 April 2019 |access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>

[[File:F-22 landing on Iwo Jima.jpg|thumb|An F-22 lands on Iwo Jima (''Iōtō'') in April 2024 during Agile Reaper 24-1.]]
To increase deployment responsiveness and reduce logistical footprint in a peer or near-peer conflict, the USAF developed a deployment concept called Rapid Raptor which involves two to four F-22s and one [[Boeing C-17 Globemaster III|C-17]] for logistical support, first proposed in 2008 by two F-22 pilots. The goal was for the type to be able to set up and engage in combat within 24 hours in smaller and more austere environments that would enable more dispersed and survivable disposition of forces. This concept was tested at Wake Island in 2013 and Guam in late 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/f-22s-call-on-wake-island/ |title=F-22s on Wake Island |date=3 July 2013 |work=Air Force Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2013/September%202013/box092613rapid.aspx |title=Rapid Raptor Package |last=Schanz |first=Marc |date=28 September 2013 |website=Air force Magazine |publisher=Air Force Association |access-date=1 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929114338/http://www.airforcemag.com/Features/Pages/2013/September%202013/box092613rapid.aspx |archive-date=29 September 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Clark, Behak. [https://www.pacaf.af.mil/News/story/id/123433300/ "Hickam Airmen exercise Rapid Raptor in Guam."]  U.S. Air Force, 3 December 2014.</ref> Four F-22s were deployed to [[Spangdahlem Air Base]] in Germany, [[Łask Air Base]] in Poland, and [[Ämari Air Base]] in Estonia in August and September 2015 to further test the concept and train with NATO allies in response to the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/616430/f-22s-arrive-in-estonia/ |title=F-22s Arrive in Estonia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928073748/http://www.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/223/Article/616430/f-22s-arrive-in-estonia.aspx |archive-date=28 September 2015 |url-status=live |work=U.S. Air Force}}</ref> The USAF would build on the principles of Rapid Raptor and eventually integrate it into its new operational concept called Agile Combat Employment, which shifts towards distributed operations during peer conflicts; for instance, detachments of F-22s have operated from austere airfields on [[Tinian]] and [[Iwo Jima]] during exercises.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/rapid-raptor-2-0/ |last=Hudson |first=Amy |title=Rapid Raptor 2.0 |date=7 March 2017 |work=Air Force Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Harpley |first=Unshin Lee |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/photos-airmen-f-22s-pacific-exercise/ |title=Airmen, F-22s Scatter to Austere 'Spokes' for Pacific Exercise |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=29 April 2024}}</ref>

On 4 February 2023, an F-22 of the 1st Fighter Wing shot down a suspected [[2023 Chinese balloon incident|Chinese spy balloon]] within visual range off the coast of [[South Carolina]] at an altitude of 60,000 to {{convert|65,000|ft|m}},<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 February 2023 |title=US shoots down Chinese 'spy' balloon over Atlantic |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64524105 |access-date=5 February 2023 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211014840/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-64524105 |url-status=live}}</ref> marking the F-22's first air-to-air kill.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-02-05 |title=F-22 Makes First Air-to-Air Strike in Chinese Balloon Takedown |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-02-05/us-fighter-jet-that-hit-chinese-balloon-scored-its-first-air-to-air-takedown |access-date=2023-11-24}}</ref> The wreckage landed approximately 6 miles offshore and was subsequently secured by ships of the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]] and [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Garamone|first1=Jim|title=F-22 Safely Shoots Down Chinese Spy Balloon Off South Carolina Coast|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/|access-date=7 February 2023|publisher=United States Department of Defense|date=4 February 2023|url-status=live|archive-date=11 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211012305/https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3288543/f-22-safely-shoots-down-chinese-spy-balloon-off-south-carolina-coast/}}</ref> F-22s shot down additional high-altitude objects [[2023 Alaska high-altitude object|near the coast of Alaska]] on 10 February and [[2023 Yukon high-altitude object|over Yukon]] on 11 February.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 February 2023 |title=US jet shoots down unknown object flying off Alaska coast |url=https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-shoots-down-unknown-flying-object-175f9078d1df36e392b2956ba771001e |access-date=11 February 2023 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=11 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211000747/https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-shoots-down-unknown-flying-object-175f9078d1df36e392b2956ba771001e |url-status=live}}</ref>

The USAF expects to begin retiring the F-22 in the 2030s as it gets replaced by the [[Next Generation Air Dominance]] (NGAD) sixth-generation crewed fighter, the Boeing F-47.<ref>Sherman, Jason. [http://insidedefense.com/201403112464029/Inside-Defense-General/Public-Articles/air-force-sets-plan-to-launch-sixth-gen-fighter-program-in-2018/menu-id-926.html "Air Force Sets Plan To Launch Sixth-Gen Fighter Program In 2018".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312225351/http://insidedefense.com/201403112464029/Inside-Defense-General/Public-Articles/air-force-sets-plan-to-launch-sixth-gen-fighter-program-in-2018/menu-id-926.html |date=12 March 2014}} ''Inside Defense'', 11 March 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.</ref><ref name=ngad2030>{{cite web |url=https://www.airforcemag.com/new-force-design-ngad-needed-soon-f-22-sunset-begins-in-2030/ |title=New Force Design: NGAD Needed Soon, F-22 Sunset Begins in 2030 |work=Air Force Magazine |date=13 May 2021 |access-date=18 May 2021 |archive-date=5 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605171912/https://www.airforcemag.com/new-force-design-ngad-needed-soon-f-22-sunset-begins-in-2030/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Operational Imperative No. 4 |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/operational-imperative-no-4/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=27 July 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Tirpak |first=John A. |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/new-f-47-f-22-allvin/ |title=Air Force Chief: How the New F-47 Will Improve on the F-22 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |publisher=Air & Space Forces Association |date=21 March 2025}}</ref> In May 2021, Air Force Chief of Staff [[Charles Q. Brown Jr.]] said that he envisioned a reduction in the future number of fighter fleets to "four plus one": the F-22 followed by NGAD, the F-35A, the F-15E followed by F-15EX, the F-16 followed by "MR-X", and the [[A-10]]; the A-10 was later dropped from the plans due that aircraft's accelerated retirement.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tirpak |first1=John |title=CSAF: F-22 Not in USAF's Long-Term Plan |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/csaf-f-22-not-in-usafs-long-term-plan/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=12 May 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Copp |first1=Tara |last2=Weisgerber |first2=Marcus |title=The Air Force Is Planning For a Future Without the F-22 |url=https://www.defenseone.com/technology/2021/05/air-force-planning-future-without-f-22/174001/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Defense One |date=12 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> In 2022 the Air Force requested that it be allowed to divest all but three of its Block 20 F-22s at Tyndall AFB.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Rachel |title=Air Force wants to send Tyndall's F-22 jets to the boneyard |url=https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/pentagon-congress/2022/03/28/air-force-wants-to-send-tyndalls-f-22-jets-to-the-boneyard/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Air Force Times |date=28 March 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Congress denied the request to divest its 33 non-combat-coded Block 20 aircraft and passed language prohibiting the divestment through FY2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Insinna |first1=Valerie |title=Congress protects F-22s from retirement, oks sending some A-10s to the boneyard |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2022/12/congress-protects-f-22s-from-retirement-oks-sending-some-a-10s-to-the-boneyard/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Breaking Defense |date=8 December 2022}}</ref> While the Block 30/35 F-22 remains one of the USAF's top priorities and will be continually updated, the service believes the Block 20 aircraft is obsolescent and unsuitable even for training F-22 pilots and that upgrading them to Block 30/35 standards would be cost-prohibitive at $3.5 billion.<ref name="F22priority">{{cite web |last=Marrow |first=Michael |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/f-22s-highest-priority-for-near-term-fight-air-force-acquisition-boss-says/ |title=F-22s 'highest priority' for near-term fight, Air Force acquisition boss says |date=7 March 2024 |work=Breaking Defense}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tirpak |first1=John |title=Moore: 'It's Time to Move On' from Block 20 F-22s, JATM Still on Schedule |url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/block-20-f-22s-move-on-jatm/ |access-date=26 February 2024 |work=Air & Space Forces Magazine |date=6 April 2023}}</ref>