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Posted by: crumpster212
we can't. Syria's air defense network is really good.
Incorrect. The F-22A Increment 3.2 can carry 8 SDBs or 2 1000lb JDAMs internally. These weapons would be used to strike pre-identified C3 assets of the Syrian IADS with near-impunity. Once the C3 infrastructure is degraded or destroyed, 4th-generation legacy aircraft can enter the AO and begin operations against the remainder of the Syrian military.
Alternatively, F-22A Blk. 32/B-2A can be used to strike high-value targets (including the aforementioned IADS C3 infrastructure) such as C3 and chemical weapons production/storage facilities, or other sites as CENTCOM/NCA sees fit.
Directly addressing the IADS, the 48-odd S-300/SA-10 'GRUMBLE' launchers are the true threat to any USAF/USN aircraft. These launchers can be blinded by destroying their C3 assets, and degraded by escort/area jamming. The remainder of the systems are not especially threatening, and can be more-or-less left alone except in the case of a full-scale ground invasion.
I am personally in favor of limited operations to knock out Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles, and as few other targets as possible. If the Free Syrian Army wants to overthrow Assad, Godspeed to them, but they should not have it handed to them. However, they also should not have to deal with chemical WMDs.