23 Oct 2022, 03:08
The block 20 Raptors populated the 43d FS at Tyndall prior to Hurricane Michael in 2018 and were used for training only. The 95th FS had later blocks and was the combat coded unit at Tyndall. Post Michael the 43d relocated to Eglin and continued their training mission. The 95th was disbanded, and its aircraft plussed up the other F-22 equipped squadrons at Langley, Elmendorf, and Hickam. Tyndall received its first Raptor in 2003. The original plan was to keep the block 20 jets in the 43d combat capable by accomplishing the various mods and upgrades the aircraft in the combat coded squadrons received. This plan was abandoned sometime around the 2015 timeframe as best as I can recall. I assume it was mostly a monetary related decision, and probably had something to do with the F-35 coming into the inventory. Although the block 20s are not combat coded, they certainly are capable of combat. They retain radar and fire control systems. Can carry and employ missiles and their cannon. They don't normally fly with a full up stealth coating, but they could be brought up to that standard fairly quickly. True, they would not normally deploy into a combat zone, but if the bad guys were coming across the border you bet we could use them in combat. At least for air-to-air missions.
