The U.S. has been quietly ramping up air power in the Middle East, and it’s not all for display purposes. American pilots in Syria have been experiencing an increase in tense, at times threatening, encounters with Russian planes over the past couple of years. Washington’s latest response? Deploy the F-22 Raptor, the Air Force’s cutting-edge fighter, to tell Russia the U.S. isn’t in retreat from the area.
The F-22 isn’t novel, but it remains in a league of its own. Commissioned in 2005, the F-22 delivers stealth, agile maneuverability, and advanced sensors all together in a manner few other aircraft can.
“The F-22’s integration of stealth, air performance, and mission systems gives it the world’s finest fifth-generation fighter,” said Lt. Col. Teresa Sullivan. In the past, Raptors have conducted missions here against ISIS, frequently detecting threats before other planes even realized they existed.
This time, though, the stakes are higher. Since early 2023, U.S. commanders have seen more aggressive flying from Russian pilots—ignoring agreed safety distances, cutting close to American planes, sometimes within just a few hundred feet, and flying armed over coalition sites.
In just two months, there were over 60 airspace violations and more than two dozen armed flyovers. Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich called the behavior “escalatory and entirely unprofessional.”
These events are part of a larger scenario. Russia, Iran, and Syria appear to be coordinating more intensively, having a common objective of driving out the U.S. from Syria.
Since Russia is relying on Iranian drones for its war in Ukraine, the two have intensified their relationship, and Iran is reportedly seeking sophisticated Russian weapons in exchange. That collaboration has spilled over into Syria, leaving U.S. forces with a more challenging and unpredictable environment.
Iran has also been active in the surrounding waters. In the Strait of Hormuz—a vital commercial shipping route through the world—Iran has attacked or harassed at least 15 commercial vessels over the last two years. The U.S. has retaliated by deploying more F-16s, F-35s, and Navy vessels into the area, announcing it won’t let the trade routes be cut off.
The deployment of the Raptor has multiple purposes. It warns Russian aviators who might feel like testing the limits, it affirms allies that the U.S. has at its disposal the best assets at a moment’s notice, and warns Moscow and Tehran that they will take seriously any threats against coalition forces.
Gen. Michael Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, put it this way: “Their repeated infringement of agreed-upon airspace deconfliction practices heightens the risk of miscalculation or escalation. Together with our allies and partners, we are dedicated to enhancing the region’s security and stability.”
This’s not about reacting to a single incident. It’s about adapting to a changing world and ensuring America maintains its competitive advantage. In an area where one misstep can trigger a series of reactions, deploying the F-22 is a signal that America is willing—and able—if it comes to that.