This image:
A Raptor pilot
returns to the
tanker for a top-
up of fuel before
heading back to
the combat air
patrol (CAP).
Left top to
bottom: The
sun shelters at
Al Dhafra offer
some protection
from the searing
summer heat.
The belly of the
F-22 conceals
a diverse war
load of AIM-120s,
AIM-9Xs and
GBU-39s.whereas ‘Kingpin’ is about the tactical
implementation and ensuring that daily
plan is executed effectively.
Al Dhafra is also home to a permanent
F-22A detachment under the 380th. It is
manned by a rolling series of deployments
by the six operational Raptor units and
their associated Air National Guard and Air
Force Reserve Command squadrons.Raptors on the front line
‘The Raptors provide air dominance as
well as an ability to provide on-call CAS
[close air support] and deliberate strike
with their GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb
[SDB] that provides high accuracy but
low collateral,’ explains France. ‘We are all
here to eradicate ISIS, but when working
in close proximity it’s often tough to
understand intentions of non-coalition
aircraft. Last year a Syrian Su-22 was shot
down when it was attempting to bomb
coalition ground positions, so we are
especially cognizant of that.’
On a daily basis the F-22s cover certain
periods of a 24-hour combat air patrol
(CAP) in the Iraq/Syria AOR, supported by
a KC-10, E-3s and ‘Kingpin’. OIR has evolved
from being a campaign to roll back IS-held
territory in Iraq and Syria to what is now
an intelligence-driven targeting mission,
with the Raptors providing top cover
for coalition troops. The current pushis to target the last remnants of IS, but
kinetic strikes have dramatically reduced
compared to a year ago. ‘The tactic is
to roll up territory without pushing the
enemy somewhere else,’ explains France.
Operation ‘Roundup’ started in May
to target the last vestiges of IS in Syria.
According to Air Forces Central Command,
there had been 309 coalition kinetic strike
sorties through the first three months
of the year resulting in 1,821 weapons
released. Strikes largely focused on the
eastern Euphrates River Valley, most taking
place near the villages of Abu Kamal and
Al Shadaddi. During the first 17 days
of ‘Roundup’, the coalition conducted
132 strikes with 161 engagements, a
significant increase over the 74 strikes
undertaken in March.
The USAF’s deployment of Raptors
is a powerful messaging tool in the
region. While these prominent fighters
are removed from their intended air
dominance mission, they still have an
important part to play in the wider
Combat Air Forces. ‘If they are held purely
for the high-end mission, then they might
never deploy,’ explains France. ‘There is a
skill-set that is needed to deploy, so it’s
a balance of having Raptors deployed
against keeping them back at a higher
state of readiness. If you demonstrate
capability, your deterrence increases.’FEATURE ARTICLE // 380TH AIR EXPEDITIONARY WING
32 August 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
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