My Jane's email notices writes that the Air Force is practicing moving small groups of F-22s around to keep an enemy off balance not knowing where the planes are flying from:
The US Air Force (USAF) has developed a new concept for fighter formations using its only operational stealth fighter, the F-22 Raptor. The new F-22 formation theory, which has been circulating the Pentagon and has been demonstrated in exercises as far back as 2009, involves generating small cells of F-22s from 'unexpected' locations and keeping them on the move in a 72-hour cycle that involves rapid refuelling, rearmament, and redeployment[.]
Strategypage writes about a similar concept that keeps a small group of Raptors and support personnel ready for rapid deployment overseas to conduct a wide range of stealth missions:
Over the last few years the U.S. Air Force has developed a novel way to made the most of the few (180) F-22s it has. This particular solution comes in the form of an F-22 QRF (Quick Reaction Force) that consists of four F-22s and a C-17 full of weapons, maintenance gear, maintainers, specialized pods, weapons and spare pilots ready to fly to any of hundreds of airports or bases in the world that can handle four F-22s and a C-17. When there is a need for a few stealthy fighters somewhere on the planet, the QRF can be off and set up within a day to provide 72 hours of F-22 air support and a dozen or more sorties. The QRF pilots are trained to handle air superiority or a wide range of surface (land and sea) attacks. Think of this as the Fedex of specialized air support.
Both concepts together indicate that the Air Force wants the planes to be more survivable and lethal by moving them around frequently.
And it shows that the planes will act more in support of other fighters out there in larger numbers doing the bulk of the flying. You won't see (no pun intended) an entire wing of F-22s airborne in some massive aerial armada.
