The stealth capabilities of the F-22, along with its advanced sensors, allowed for these planes to operate undetected in contested Iranian airspace.
During the recent US military strike on Iran’s nuclear weapons facilities, known as “Operation Midnight Hammer,” America’s mighty F-22 Raptors played a critical support role for the B-2 Spirit long-range stealth bombers.
The highly complicated military operation involved a long-range mission to destroy Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities. In order for the mission to have had a chance of success, the B-2s needed a significant amount of air cover. And that’s where America’s most advanced fifth-generation warplane, the F-22, came into play.
F-22 Raptors, known for their air-to-air combat capabilities and stealth, were deployed to escort the B-2s as they approached Iranian airspace. Their primary role was to clear the airspace of potential threats, ensuring the B-2s could reach their targets.
The F-22s checked for enemy aircraft and surface-to-air (SAM) missile systems, ensuring that no Iranian fighters or defenses engaged the strike package. The Air Force reported that no Iranian Air Force warplane deployed against the American birds in Iranian airspace, and Iran’s SAM systems appeared unable to detect the US aircraft.
The stealth capabilities of the F-22, along with its advanced sensors, allowed for these planes to operate undetected in contested Iranian airspace. These birds provided real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to the B-2s as they flew to their targets. This helped the US Air Force to maintain the element of surprise, a key factor in the operation’s success. The F-22’s ability to share data with other platforms ensured the B-2s could navigate with minimal communications, reducing the risk of detection.
In the days leading up to the operation, many of America’s F-22s were prepositioned in the US Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. Around ten F-22s, along with F-35s and F-16s, were deployed to the Middle East to support this historic mission.
Some F-22s departed the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Lakenheath airbase in England several days before the operation commenced. The forward deployment of these assets ensured they were ready to escort the B-2s during the strike mission.
The F-22s operated as part of a larger strike force involving over 125 aircraft—not only including the F-35s, F-16s, F-15E Strike Eagles—that included refueling tankers and ISR platforms. Their role was to protect the B-2s while coordinating with these assets to execute the mission flawlessly. The F-22s likely helped manage the airspace, ensuring that Iranian or proxy forces would not intervene.
Operation Midnight Hammer is the largest B-2 strike in American military history and the second-longest B-2 mission, lasting 36 hours round-trip from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. Without the F-22’s assistance and support during this mission, things might have gone very badly for the Americans.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
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