Danny Li questioned the role of Hawaii’s F-22s in an air campaign against China (“Why anticipate an air war with China?,” Star-Advertiser, Letters, Nov. 15).

First of all, the F-22 was developed long before Donald Trump became president. Before the F-22 was developed and produced, a requirement for a high-speed, long range stealth jet had to be established by the Pentagon and approved by Congress based on the potential threats to the U.S. and our allies.

Whether the threat comes from China, North Korea, Russia, Iran or any other belligerent country, is beside the point. F-22s, regardless of where they are based, definitely will be used in the most effective manner possible, given the right kinds of munitions, tankers and other support available in an air war. Stealth is necessary to establish air superiority in any future war.

Don’t forget Hawaii’s F-22s successfully deployed to the Middle East in October 2015.

Russel A. Noguchi

Pearl City

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