JB Langley-Eustis, Va. F-22s are flying daily in support of anti-ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria, carrying weapons and also keeping a close eye on what Syrian air defenses are doing. Col. Peter Fesler, commander of the 1st Fighter Wing at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., said the F-22’s specific capabilities, especially its “sensor fusion and battlespace awareness” have kept the Raptors busy flying daily in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Langley’s 27th Fighter Squadron is deployed currently to US Central Command in support of the campaign. Raptors are integrating into strike packages, watching what other aircraft in the air space are doing, and keeping an eye on Syrian Air Defenses. The aircraft fly with a mix of air-to-ground weapons, such as the GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munition and GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb, and air-to-air weaponry for protection. “That is a unique capability that the F-22 brings, and that’s what they’re doing on a daily basis,” said Fesler.
In the wake of a major Chinese military shakeup, the head of U.S. Space Command warned of China’s “breathtakingly fast” advances in space during visits to Japan and South Korea. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting’s trip to the Indo-Pacific is his first overseas visit since taking command of SPACECOM in January.