F-22 sees first combat

The F-22 Raptor has flown its first combat operation, a milestone for the air dominance fighter. An Air Force official confirmed that the Raptor was used over Syria Monday during nighttime operations against the Islamic State and other militant groups as part of a joint force of U.S. and Arabian Gulf region allies. The F-22 fleet is relatively small. While the Pentagon originally planned on a major buy of the Lockheed Martin-built jets, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates pushed to end the plane’s production in the early days of the Obama administration. (Source: Defense News, 09/23/14) Gulf Coast note: F-22 pilots are trained at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.