F-22 Raptors deploy to Middle East

UPI ^ | October 2nd, 2015 | By Richard Tomkins

[Mariner]

HONOLULU, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- An undisclosed number of F-22 Raptors of the Hawaii Air National Guard and the U.S. Air Force have been deployed to the Middle East for as long as six months.

The Hawaii Air National Guard, or HIANG, said the deployment of most of the fighters and more than 200 personnel from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Honolulu took place Sept. 26 but was kept secret for security considerations.

The aircraft and personnel are now in an unidentified location in the region, which is in the area of responsibility of the U.S. Central Command.

"Because of security considerations and host nation sensitivities, the HIANG will not release the base nor country where the Raptors are operating from, nor will the HIANG release the number of F-22 fighters that are deployed," it said.

[Mariner]

Why do we need Raptors in the Middle East? I thought ISIS had no air force.

[Bobalu]

They will need them to try and slip past Putin’s no-fly zone in Syria.

[Ethan Clive Osgoode]

Why do we need Raptors in the Middle East? I thought ISIS had no air force.

To protect head-chopping muslim terrorists from Russian bombs.

[VanShuyten]

To remove them from defending against the Chinese, of course.

[Squantos]

Got to give China room ......

[Mariner]

"To protect head-chopping muslim terrorists from Russian bombs. "

Yeah, I fear Obama will be shamed in to butching up and declare a no fly zone for all but coalition aircraft.

Monumental mistake. The kind of action taken by a rookie to save face.

[RC one]

Russia is a bigger threat to our national interests than any terrorist group. Not that we shouldn’t kill terrorists but we can’t keep making the mistake of ignoring our long term strategic interests while we focus on short term emotional interests.

[Gene Eric]

What??? Didn’t think the Raptor was supported for anything other training and air shows...

Godspeed.

[okie01]

"Because of security considerations and host nation sensitivities, the HIANG will not release the base nor country where the Raptors are operating from...

Turkey. They're operating out of Incirlik, almost certainly.

[Red Steel]

Probably deployed to Kuwait.

[JediJones]

Nukes in the hands of Muslims are far more dangerous than nukes in the hands of Russians. A regime toppling in Pakistan, Iran going nuclear or in the longer-term, Muslims taking over nuclear-powered European nations are three bigger threats than Russia has to offer us.

[Mariner]

"Russia is a bigger threat to our national interests than any terrorist group."

So, we send out best into theater because has place a modest, at best, force there?

I'm thinkin' the US is contemplating a move.

[Red Steel]

Or Incirlik.

[okie01]

Turkey. They're operating out of Incirlik, almost certainly.

If so, this puts the F-22s astride the route from Israel to Iran.

In which case, the F-22s serve as a message to Bibi...

[entropy12]

100% correct. The first Jihadi who gets hold of a nuke will detonate it as fast as he learns how to do it.

[laplata]

Yeah, I fear Obama will be shamed in to butching up and declare a no fly zone for all but coalition aircraft.

Monumental mistake. The kind of action taken by a rookie to save face.

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POS Obama is going to get a bunch of Americans killed.

[entropy12]

Iran treaty requires us to defend Iran against attack by Israel.

[laplata]

The first Jihadi who gets hold of a nuke will detonate it as fast as he learns how to do it.

---

And he’ll sit on it to make sure it works.

[entropy12]

Fastest path to 72 virgins!