Air dominance: a must for the future

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jim Hecker
  • 27th Fighter Squadron commander
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) --  The Air Force is about to go operational with the F/A-22 Raptor. The Raptor will allow the Air Force to maintain air dominance, an essential ingredient to all war plans.

For the past 30 years, the F-15 Eagle has done a superb job gaining and maintaining air dominance. In Operation Desert Storm, the Eagle had 34 victories and added another four in Operation Allied Force -- securing air dominance in both conflicts. Due to the Eagle’s overwhelming success, the enemy refused to even take off during Operation Enduring Freedom.

April 15, 1953, is an important day in Air Force history that all Airman should remember. By the end of this commentary you will realize why.

As Airman, we should take great pride in our ability to provide sister services the freedom to maneuver in the air and on the ground. Regarding air superiority, retired Gen. Charles Horner once said, “Everything is possible if you have it … little is possible if you lose it.”

This was very apparent, as the Iraqi Air Force was unable to gain air superiority and left their Army open to attack by coalition forces, leading to the infamous “highway of death” during Operation Desert Storm.

As we move forward, leaders in other countries are seeing the value of air dominance and are investing capital to improve their fighters and air defense systems. Their fighters are beginning to reach parity with the F-15C and threaten our ability to guarantee air dominance to our sister services.

In addition, those leaders are putting in place complex integrated air defense systems, including sophisticated surface-to-air missiles, which also threaten air dominance. The F/A-22 Raptor will ensure we have the ability to gain and maintain air dominance against these advanced threats.

Thankfully, many people saw the need for the Raptor several years ago. The F/A-22 began as a concept in the early 1970’s. A proposal for an advanced tactical fighter was submitted in October 1985, and a 54-month demonstration/validation program began between the YF-22 and YF-23, the original designations of the F/A-22. In August 1991, the YF-22 was declared the winner and began flight-testing at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Since then, test missions have flown at Nellis AFB, Nev. and training missions at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The 27th Fighter Squadron here received its first combat coded aircraft May 12 and is preparing for initial operational capability.

The Airmen in the 27th FS and the 1st Fighter Wing are honored and privileged to have the opportunity to bring the Raptor to IOC.

We realize there is a long list of Airmen who have contributed to the program in the past and continue to contribute now. If it was not for your efforts, the Raptor would not be where it is today -- our hats are off to you. Your hard work and dedication have guaranteed our armed forces air dominance in the future.

Now back to the important day.

On April 15, 1953, two American artillerymen were attacked by enemy aircraft during the Korean War and lost their lives. This event was the last time an enemy aircraft killed an American soldier on the ground. It has been a great 52 years. As Airmen, you should take pride in your achievement and let’s go for another 52.