Why Not Deploy F-22's To The AOR?

alphaone

alphaone

Well-Known Member
I know one of the major arguments against cutting the F-22 was that it was not deployed to the AOR for the two current wars. Why doesn't the Air Force deploy it there? Can't it fly out of a base in Iraq or Al Uldeid where it would be safe? It could be a small 12 ship deployment to conduct counter air and training in a different enviornment just like they do in Japan and Guam regularly. To me, seems like a good idea whether they are or are not going to buy more, serves a good training purpose and proves the Rapters can go over there.
 
alphaone said:
I know one of the major arguments against cutting the F-22 was that it was not deployed to the AOR for the two current wars. Why doesn't the Air Force deploy it there? Can't it fly out of a base in Iraq or Al Uldeid where it would be safe? It could be a small 12 ship deployment to conduct counter air and training in a different enviornment just like they do in Japan and Guam regularly. To me, seems like a good idea whether they are or are not going to buy more, serves a good training purpose and proves the Raptors can go over there.
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What would be the point? The F-15s achieved air superiority 6 years ago.

Yes the F-22 CAN carry bombs if need be, but that's like an Indy car pulling a horse trailer. A F-16 or A-10 is a much better choice.

The reason they are in Guam and Japan is so they will be in position to respond to North Korea.
 
Why not deploy them? Because they're an air superiority fighter and there would be nothing for them to do, simple as that.

As far as training over there, that would be a pointless waste of taxpayer money . . . I'm surprised it hasn't happened already. :D
 
Not even close to being a good idea, unfortunately.

It's a combat zone. First and foremost, you don't have people and equipment over there that don't need to be there. You absolutely, positively, DO NOT do "training deployments" to combat zones.

The Raptors wouldn't be providing anything toward accomplishment, so it would be needless risk (of both personnel and expen$ive equipment) and a huge expenditure of treasure for zero gain (think of the Per Diem, combat zone tax exclusion, and hostile fire pay for everyone involved).

I can't think of a single reason this would be a good idea. There are only really three marginal reasons to do it:

- So F-22 drivers could log some "combat" sorties and get a few air medals.

- So F-22s could claim to have operated in a "combat" environment, even though there is very little actual threat to them and no operational mission for them to perform besides DCA.

- So Iran could be scared that there were a bunch of Raptors really close to their border (or both borders if they were at Balad and Bagram simultaneously).
 
Hacker15e said:
- So Iran could be scared that there were a bunch of Raptors really close to their border (or both borders if they were at Balad and Bagram simultaneously).
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Maybe I'm out to lunch on this one, but this seems like about the only reason why they would even consider such a deployment.
 
I'm all about the Armored Air Tractors now, that or some sort of close air support airplane like the OV10 used to be. Seems like the good way to go.
 
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2009/11/airforce_uae_111709w/



F-22s, F-16s deploy to UAE

Staff report
Posted : Wednesday Nov 18, 2009 20:27:35 EST

Air Force F-16s and F-22s have deployed to the United Arab Emirates, the service announced Sunday.

The F-16s will be supporting Exercise Iron Falcon until Dec. 10 at the United Arab Emirates Air Warfare Center. The exercise is designed to bring together Gulf Cooperation Council nations and other countries to strengthen military-to-military relationships, promote regional security, improve combined tactical air operations, and enhance interoperability of forces, equipment and procedures.

During the same period, F-22s will participate in bilateral training opportunities with coalition partners.
 
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