The F-22 Raptor: King of the Sky and Pinnacle of Air Dominance

The F-22 Raptor is widely regarded as the most formidable air-to-air fighter in the world—a reputation built on its unmatched stealth, blistering speed, and extraordinary maneuverability. Stationed with the Hawaii Air National Guard at Hickam Air Force Base, the F-22 stands as a testament to the cutting edge of American aerospace technology and the men and women who operate it.

What Makes the F-22 Raptor so Feared?

1. Stealth and Low Observability (LO): The F-22’s sleek, angular design is just the surface layer of its stealth. What sets it apart is its radar-absorbing paint and specially engineered surfaces, limiting its visibility to even the most advanced radar. This “low observability” allows it to slip through defended airspace undetected and engage targets on its own terms. As Captain Pete “Watt” Van Lier Ribbink notes, when the Raptor is pointed directly at a threat, its radar and even visual signature all but disappear.

2. Speed and Altitude: The Raptor redefines what it means to be “fast.” Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119 turbofan engines, each producing 35,000 pounds of thrust, the F-22 can cruise at speeds over Mach 2 (around 1,500 mph) and soar up to 60,000 feet—well above the operational ceiling of most adversaries.

3. Supercruise and Thrust Vectoring: Supercruise is a rare and valuable trait, allowing the F-22 to fly at supersonic speeds without fuel-guzzling afterburners. Combined with thrust vectoring—where the pilot can direct engine exhaust up or down by roughly 20 degrees—the F-22 is capable of maneuvers that seem to defy physics, handily outclassing opponents in close-quarters dogfights.

4. Advanced Avionics and Sensor Fusion: The F-22 is outfitted with high-tech sensors and displays, providing a single-seat pilot with near-total awareness of the battlespace. Situational awareness is enhanced through “sensor fusion,” which combines data from on-board and off-board sources, making the world’s most complicated air battles more manageable—and winnable.

Air Dominance Arsenal

The Raptor’s firepower matches its flight characteristics:

Air-to-Air: It carries six AIM-120 AMRAAM radar-guided missiles for beyond-visual-range warfare, and two heat-seeking AIM-9 Sidewinders for close-in dogfights. All are stowed internally to preserve the aircraft’s stealth profile.
Close-In Attack: For cannon engagements, the Raptor sports a six-barrel Vulcan Gatling gun, capable of firing 6,000 rounds per minute.
Limited Air-to-Ground: While primarily an air superiority fighter, the F-22 can also deliver precision air-to-ground munitions, including two JDAMs or eight small diameter bombs for selected ground targets.

These munitions, often developed by defense leader Raytheon, make the F-22 a multi-role combatant. Notably, the F-22 was recently used to shoot down a Chinese surveillance balloon with a Raytheon-manufactured AIM-9X—a testament to its operational flexibility.

Total Force Integration: Teamwork in the Hawaii Air National Guard

The 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons at Hickam exemplify “total force integration.” Here, Air National Guard airmen work shoulder-to-shoulder with active-duty Air Force personnel. This blending of expertise creates one of the most effective and responsive air defense teams in the world, capable of rapid response to threats across the Pacific and beyond.

The Pilot’s Perspective: In the Cockpit

The F-22 is strictly a solo act—no two-seat variants mean every pilot’s first flight is flown alone. As Captain Van Lier Ribbink notes, it’s a “huge responsibility,” but the jet’s fly-by-wire controls and intuitive displays optimize safety and performance. And while pulling 9G turns is routine for these pilots, it’s a physically taxing experience. Survival demands top physical conditioning and specialized gear.

Gearing Up:

G-suit: Inflates under high-G maneuvers to prevent blackouts.
Survival Harness: Packed with radios, signaling equipment, snacks, and in emergencies, connects to parachute risers for bailouts.
Flight Helmet and Oxygen Mask: Protects and enables communication at high altitudes, while the oxygen supply keeps pilots alert at 60,000 feet.

Thrust, Control, and Agility: The F-22 in Flight

Looking at the jet up close, its huge flight control surfaces stand out—each horizontal stabilizer is the size of an entire F-16 wing! Fly-by-wire controls ensure that pilot inputs are instantly and optimally translated into aerodynamic adjustments, maximizing agility and safety.

Though it looks like a spaceship and handles unlike anything else in the sky, the F-22 remains user-friendly and remarkably stable, giving its pilots confidence in even the most demanding maneuvers. Dogfights typically favor the Raptor, thanks to thrust-vectoring nozzles and massive control surfaces, allowing it to turn sharper and evade threats with ease.

Squadron Support: More Than Just the Pilot and Jet

Every mission is the result of teamwork—hundreds of airmen from areas like maintenance, mission planning, survival training, and logistics make each sortie possible. Aircrew flight equipment technicians, for example, prepare and maintain the gear that keeps pilots safe.

Seeing the Raptor in Action

Even the most detailed videos can’t replicate the visceral thrill of seeing the F-22 blast off from the runway—a fact anyone who’s stood just a few feet away during takeoff will never forget. The sheer roar, acceleration, and vertical climb have to be seen (and felt) to be believed.

Full Video:

Conclusion

The F-22 Raptor’s title as “King of the Sky” is hard-earned and well-deserved. Its balance of stealth, firepower, speed, and agility ensures that, today and for years to come, it will remain a cornerstone of American air dominance. But equally important are the men and women—pilots, maintainers, support staff—who rise to the challenge of operating and sustaining this marvel of aerospace engineering.

Whether defending the US homeland or deployed abroad, the F-22 and the airmen of the Hawaii Air National Guard stand ever ready, watching the Pacific skies with unmatched vigilance, firepower, and professionalism.