How the U.S. Marines Do Air Combat Better Than the Air Force Does — War Is Boring

The aggressor squadron that the USAF had a Nellis AFB did a great job of analyzing threat aircraft and simulating their tactics and capabilities in large exercises such as Red Flag. That said, they were almost always augmented by other squadrons from traditional units that could play the red air role just about as well. Almost every time we train, even F16 vs F16, one side is designated the bandit and plays the role of an adversary fighter - so most fighter pilots can play the aggressor role well.

What's not mentioned in the article is how superior the F22 is to all fighters. I've never flown against it but from what I've heard it's totally dominant in air-air. And I mean one F22 will easily take out 4-6 other planes without even being detected. That capability makes the immediate need for an aggressor unit much lower.

Lt Col Skip Fleshman, when it isn't grounded and plagued by mechanical problems?

Thanks for that insight Lt Col Skip Fleshman. The F22 definitely has some scary capability in the stealth technology coupled with thrust vectored control. Not to mention these specs...
Mach 2.25
Supercruise: Mach 1.82
Combat radius: 410 nmi
I can't imagine having to fly against it in Red Flag or any combat scenario.

Capt Gregory Prickett having had the benefit of a good night's sleep I seem to have come off far too aggressively in my previous post. I am sincerely sorry for that it was not my intention, but it was the result I "achieved."

As for the Harrier, I just wanted to point out that it too is a "fast mover" that provides CAS.

TSgt (Join to see) I gave you a thumbs up for your latest post. I commend you for admitting you may have been to aggressive and to apologize.

Capt Gregory Prickett Amen to that sir!

yeah I take warthog or two and I take all the harriers as well, I am not that picky smile