The skies that hover over Iran are full of tension, high risks, and the place where the latest technology and decisions in a fraction of a second come face to face. For several years, U.S. and Iranian forces had been involved in a sort of coordinated movement, which was almost invisible, testing each other’s boundaries and pulling up information. Drones such as the MQ-1 Predator would often go near Iranian airspace to keep a watchful eye or to take a quiet look inside. However, an event out of the ordinary occurred in 2013. A short, theatrical meeting between a U.S. F-22 Raptor and two Iranian F-4 Phantoms altered the mode of interaction and handed over a clear signal about the dominion of the skies.
In order to capture the importance of the case, it is necessary to rewind the moment a bit further, back to November 2012. Two Iranian Su-25 Frogfoots spotted a Predator drone that was flying about 16 miles off the coast of America. The drone was not made for fighting. It was slow, unarmored, and specially designed for reconnaissance. Thus, it turned into a target. The Iranian pilots made numerous runs and took shots with their 30mm cannons each time.
The drone managed to live up, probably because the Iranians ran out of ammunition. The U.S. got the message, whether the attack was a real attempt at destruction or simply a warning. That was the moment from which the drones that were operating in the area of Iran started to fly with the protection of fighters. Sometimes they were F/A-18 Super Hornets from the aircraft carriers, which are usually nearby. At other times, it was the silent, almost ghostly, presence of an F-22 Raptor, which was flying from the United Arab Emirates.
However, the next incident came in March 2013. Another MQ-1 Predator was on a routine surveillance mission near the Iranian airspace. Naturally, Iranian jets were sent off to intercept. But the stakes were higher this time. It was not the slow Frogfoots but two F-4 Phantoms, very old jets from the Cold War era that still had the capacity to go at Mach 2 speeds and were equipped with heavy armament. The unarmed drone was practically defenseless. The Iranian pilots, however, were unaware that they were not the only ones there.
Above them, and completely off the radar, an F-22 Raptor with Lt. Col. Kevin “Showtime” Sutterfield at the controls was watching the whole thing without making any noise. The stealth fighter had quietly positioned itself behind the Iranian Phantoms. Showtime was sneaking under the plane and checking its armaments without being at all visible to the target as one F-4 aimed at the drone.
It was almost like a scene from a spy thriller when he parked next to one of the Phantoms, radioed, and said: “You really oughta go home.” The Iranian pilots who were suddenly made aware that they were in the vicinity of an undetectable stealth fighter decided not to question his words and head back to base.
There were no shots fired. No dogfight occurred. Nevertheless, the encounter made a loud, clear statement. The U.S. had shown its might, but without the use of force. The ability of the F-22 to operate stealthily gave the U.S. virtual control of the entire event. For Iran, not knowing the danger until it was right next to them was a clear signal.
Later on, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh recounted the incident publicly, thanking Showtime for his talent and tranquility. Showtime was a Reservist who, with accuracy and self-assurance, drove one of the world’s most sophisticated fighters. The story went further than the technological achievement and showed how stealth, speed, and vigilance could nullify several threats that one could not see.
However, the technology of the F-22 was not the only factor that contributed to the interaction. It was also a very important lesson in being there and holding back. Most probably, the F-22 pilot’s quiet and calculated move stopped a clash that could have spiraled into a sizeable international incident.
Not to mention that this flight gave the opportunity to point out the difference between fifth-generation modern fighters and planes that are still in service with many countries, but are old enough. No matter how skillful the pilot is, an outdated plane cannot match the abilities of modern stealth fighters. Aviation specialists have claimed that such kind of confrontations showed the extent to which stealth technology can be a game-changer when used tactically.
By taking into account the bigger picture, future wars will not always be won by the side possessing the fastest jet or the largest missile stockpile. Most of the time, the winner will be the one who will be able to influence perception, control information, and act in a way that will keep the opponent guessing. The 2013 F-22 mission off Iran’s coast is just such a case. In only a few minutes, with the use of stealth, precision timing, and a couple of words, it not only changed the rules of engagement but also indicated a new era of air combat.
