On Sunday (March 29), the US military’s “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran has entered its fifth week. The Central Command responsible for this operation released photos of the US Air Force’s deadliest F-22 Raptor fighter jets in combat.
During the “Operation Epic Fury,” the US military has deployed a large number of advanced weapons systems, including two aircraft carriers and their carrier-based aircraft. The F-35C fighters carried by the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier have attracted particular attention. In addition, the US Air Force’s B-2 stealth bombers and the top air-to-air combat F-22 Raptors have also participated in this military operation.
The Central Command on Sunday released three photos of the F-22 Raptors on X platform, along with a post stating that during “Operation Epic Fury,” a US Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter jet took off from a base in the Middle East. The performance of the Raptor fighter jet is unmatched by any known or future fighter jets.
The F-22 Raptor was born at the end of the Cold War and officially entered service in 2005. Its main objective is air superiority – to destroy enemy aircraft and control air dominance when facing adversaries like the former Soviet Union.
Air superiority refers to the capability to carry out combat missions without significant interference from enemy aircraft or air defense systems. The design goal of the F-22 is not only its stealth capability but also its speed and maneuverability. It can achieve supersonic flight without afterburners (supercruise) and engage targets from long range before being detected.
On February 28, the US and Israeli forces launched joint airstrikes targeting missile bases, command centers, and leadership offices inside Iran. So far, the focus of this conflict has been on stealth aircraft and long-range strike systems.
New York defense analyst Jack Buckby evaluated the “stealth first” strategy, stating that this operation heavily relies on low observability aircraft, including the US Air Force’s B-2 “Spirit” stealth bombers, F-22 “Raptor” fighters, and F-35 “Lightning II” fighters. These aircraft platforms are designed to operate within heavily defended airspace while avoiding radar detection, playing a crucial role in the early stages of modern air combat.
Reportedly, within the first 72 hours of the operation’s commencement, the US military struck over 1,700 targets inside Iran, including Revolutionary Guard headquarters, missile launch sites, command facilities, and more.
In Iran, the F-22 Raptor fighters are likely assigned as escorts for the strike aircraft, ensuring that even if Iranian planes are deployed, they cannot interfere with the coalition’s aerial operations.