U.S. F-22 made its combat debut against ISIL last month

Special to WorldTribune.com

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Air Force has launched maiden strike operations of the F-22 fighter-jet.

Officials said the air force deployed the F-22 Raptor in air strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

U.S. F-22.

The officials said the fifth-generation fighter, nearly a decade after its introduction, made its combat debut in attacks on ISIL facilities in Iraq and Syria in September 2014.

The F-22, introduced in 2005, was sent into combat in late September 2014 after ISIL managed to strike at least one U.S. F-15 fighter-jet in northern Iraq.

[Related: ISIL hit U.S. F-15 with anti-aircaft batteries captured from Iraq]

The F-15 was forced to land in neighboring Turkey where it underwent repairs before returning to its base in Qatar.

“The greatest capability the F-22 brings is its integrated avionics, its fused avionics that facilitate situational awareness,” air force assistant deputy chief of staff Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Harrigian said. “It’s not just for the pilot in the airplane, but really for the entire package that is going to execute the mission.”

The F-22 has sparked interest among several Middle East states. Israel has repeatedly sought to procure the aircraft but was rebuffed by Washington, which instead offered the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

In a briefing on Sept. 29, Harrigan said the air force determined that the F-22 was required for air strikes against ISIL in northern Syria. He cited the aircraft’s stealth capability and advanced integrated avionics.

“Specifically as the planners took a look at the threat environment that was part of the Syrian laydown, they wanted to ensure they use the right capabilities in the right location,” Harrigian said.

Officials said the air force was careful in its use of the F-22. They said the aircraft, with advanced sensors, was also being assigned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

“We see air power as one of the fundamental components of the comprehensive strategy, but also recognize that air power alone will not destroy ISIL,” Harrigian said.