08 May 2020, 15:55
He may be thinking of a similar incident years ago, but not involving the F-22...
If memory serves, there was a Flanker pilot who challenged Western pilots to a mock air to air combat duel over the English Channel. This was at an airshow some years back.
Nobody took him up on the challenge, which the Russians of course boasted about. Professional aviators don't take these things seriously. Western aircraft aren't designed to perform airshow stunts. When called upon in war, their air to air etc. records are admirable. Much better than their Soviet counterparts.
For example, the F-15 has a combined 104-0 air to air combat record - mostly vs. Soviet built aircraft. Most of these kills were Israeli, although many were also USAF F-15's in ODS. The F-15 has shot down Mig-21's, 23's, 25's and 29's. Iranian F-14's regularly laid waste to Iraqi Mig-21's, 23's and 25's. Even legacy Hornets laden with (4!) 2,000lb bombs destroyed a pair of Mig-21's sent to intercept them, then went on to complete their bombing run. I could go on and on, but a mock dogfight proves nothing.
Combat does though. And on that score our jets do very, very well...