Lockheed Martin Corp.'s F-22 fighter jet, making its debut in warfare more than nine years after it was deemed combat-ready, has flown at least 112 missions against Islamic State positions in Syria and Iraq, the U.S. Air Force's commander of combat forces said.

The stealth fighter known as the Raptor has guided airstrikes into Syria, disseminated large volumes of data to fellow fliers and attacked Islamic State's oil facilities, Gen. Herb "Hawk" Carlisle said in a telephone interview.

"If at all possible, they try to have F-22s on as many missions as they can because" the jets play the role of an aerial quarterback, Carlisle said.