While conducting air strikes against IS in Iraq is not without its risks, politically and militarily, doing the same against targets in Syria raises these risks, according to an expert.
“The Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria have access to captured man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS). However, the most sophisticated of these are only really effective up to about 15,000 ft. This means that, having the government’s permission to operate in its airspace, US and allied aircraft operating over Iraq are flying in a relatively permissive environment,” IHS Jane’s Aviation Desk Editor Gaomreth Jennings, said.
“In Syria, there is no such permission, so as well as the threat posed by IS-controlled MANPADS, US and allied pilots have to consider the threat from the Syrian government’s far more sophisticated air defence systems, including MiG fighter aircraft flown by the Syrian Arab Air Force. It will be for this reason that the F-22 stealth fighter has made its combat debut over Syria.”
The overnight strikes were conducted using a mix of carrier- and land-based combat aircraft, and Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from USS Arleigh Burke and USS Philippine Sea operating in the international waters of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.