Stephen Posted October 20, 2022 Share Posted October 20, 2022 https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/camouflaged-aggressor-f-16s-are-intercepting-russian-bombers-in-alaska 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Dot Posted October 21, 2022 Share Posted October 21, 2022 Interesting but not surprising, even though the photo shows a jet with acquisition rounds only! If you have the assets, use them Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 Hasn't this been going on for the last 50 years or so? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julien Posted October 22, 2022 Share Posted October 22, 2022 5 hours ago, Slater said: Hasn't this been going on for the last 50 years or so? The interceptions yes. I think in this case is whats different is the aggressor trainers are standing QRA, probably as some of the F-22s are deployed to Europe at present due to the war in Ukraine. Julien Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 19 hours ago, Slater said: Hasn't this been going on for the last 50 years or so? What is actually surprising is the use of Raptors for this rather benign missions.. Overkill to use a Raptor with unstealthy external tanks and I assume Fresnel lenses continously for this kind of missions...wouldn't F-15sbe just as adequate?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 If we only had some F-106's lying around... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 47 minutes ago, Slater said: If we only had some F-106's lying around... 😉 😉 you mean F-16s? I hardly imagine the small maintenance intensive, low mission capable rate, combat coded Raptor fleet is the most suitable for this mission in peace time.. but for sure, USAF will know better than me of course! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted October 23, 2022 Share Posted October 23, 2022 Since F-22's are based at Elmendorf they're probably the most logical choice for this role. They can reach the intercept point faster with a greater offensive/defensive capability than other types. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calum Posted October 24, 2022 Share Posted October 24, 2022 4 hours ago, Slater said: Since F-22's are based at Elmendorf they're probably the most logical choice for this role. They can reach the intercept point faster with a greater offensive/defensive capability than other types. The article points out that 1/2 of the Elmendorf are deployed to Poland.. The other 1/2 are mostly U/S.. hence the F-16's 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
11bravo Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 On 10/23/2022 at 5:10 PM, Slater said: Since F-22's are based at Elmendorf they're probably the most logical choice for this role. They can reach the intercept point faster with a greater offensive/defensive capability than other types. The F-22 is a "boutique" force, a national asset no different than the B-2. It also is a maintenance pig and the hourly cost to fly it is astronomical. It's a complete waste of the jet's capabilities (and life span) to be flying those missions. Put one of the squadrons of F-15's they are pulling out of Okinawa in Alaska and let those old (but extremely capable) jets handle air defense missions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slater Posted October 29, 2022 Share Posted October 29, 2022 Okinawa's F-15's are probably destined for the boneyard or museums. The F-15EX might be a suitable choice for that mission, assuming the entire buy goes through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Neu- Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 On 10/23/2022 at 7:06 AM, exdraken said: What is actually surprising is the use of Raptors for this rather benign missions.. Overkill to use a Raptor with unstealthy external tanks and I assume Fresnel lenses continously for this kind of missions...wouldn't F-15sbe just as adequate?? There hasn't been F-15s since about 2009 - the Alaskan defence mission has been mostly F-22s or CF-18s for the past decade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Neu- Posted October 30, 2022 Share Posted October 30, 2022 On 10/23/2022 at 2:10 PM, Slater said: Since F-22's are based at Elmendorf they're probably the most logical choice for this role. They can reach the intercept point faster with a greater offensive/defensive capability than other types. Intercept speed doesn't really matter that much - there's usually enough forewarning to get aircraft ready to go. The RCAF's squadrons are deployed well south, but have to transit several hours to a northern FOL and stage out of there if they do an intercept. Its really range and endurance that matters in these intercepts, so having tankers is a must. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 On 10/29/2022 at 7:32 PM, 11bravo said: Put one of the squadrons of F-15's they are pulling out of Okinawa in Alaska and let those old (but extremely capable) jets handle air defense missions. The F-15s are being pulled out partly because the airframes are degrading faster than anticipated due to salt corrosion. Putting those in a colder environment is not a good idea unless you want high attrition rates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairystick Posted November 19, 2022 Share Posted November 19, 2022 It can be noted that the red stars on the F-16's had to be painted out. Someting to do with "international recognition" when operating in international airspace. Can't have russkies showing up in their delapidated Bear, only to be escorted by russkie Vipers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now