I received this email from my Cadet Colonel today and it kind of confirmed what you could already discern about the info surrounding the F-22. This article was October 4th, 2007.

Only Jedi Knights May Fly F-22s
October 4, 2007: The U.S. Air Force, faced with the prospect of receiving only about 200 F-22 fighters, has decided to turn this problem into an opportunity, by creating a highly specialized force. Therefore, F-22 pilots will specialize in air-to-air combat, and the destruction of enemy air defenses. This latter job is the most dangerous one for a pilot, but it is essential during the early stages of any war or battle. The stealthy F-22 is ideally suited for defeating enemy radars and anti-aircraft missiles. But to do this right, in a single seat fighter, you need lots of practice. That's why F-22 pilots will concentrate on only those two missions. This is not to say the F-22 can't perform ground support missions. That's because the most common ground support job is dropping smart bombs. Not a lot of special skills required for that.

 

To support this new police, F-22 pilots will only be recruited from the F-15C community. This is the only air force warplane that specializes in air to air combat. There will never be enough F-22s to replace the 500 F-15Cs currently in service, so the air force can pick the best pilots for the new fighter.

This can also be found at http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/ht...71004.aspx

This article kind of puts a damper on things, especially coupled with talks of selling the fighter to Japan. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Internati...id=3369202

Thoughts?

My thoughts.

First, the wild weasel missions will be/has been replaced by cruise missiles, Reapers, and other UAVs. Air-to-air UAVs are just around the corner. Some fighter pilots will deny this reality but the fact is air to air is 99% BVR and he with the best radar, avionics, and an AWACs....wins. The days of Mig Alley are over. Smaller, faster, more lethal, more capable, more numerous, and cheaper in a time when the Air Force is broke, the fleet is aging and needs replaced, and UAV technology is hot....if TAMI-21 doesn't make it clear enough then listen up... If you want to increase your chances of having a flying career then take a serious look at hauling cargo.