Summary Korean War: New Soviet MiG-15s initially outperformed US fighters before the arrival of F-86 Sabres. Vietnam War: F-4 Phantoms claimed 150 MiG kills; US pilots didn't capitalize on Phantom's top speed. Operation Desert Storm: F-15s downed 32 Iraqi fixed-wing aircraft; F-15s were vital for USAF air-to-air kills.
The United States Air Force has been built to establish air superiority or air dominance over areas it finds itself operating. Today, the primary dedicated air superiority fighter jets operated by the Air Force are the F-15 ( the newest being the F-15EX Strike Eagle II ) and the F-22 Raptor. The F-22 Raptor is considered unrivaled in its role as an air dominance platform ( even sixth-generation fighter, NGAD, may not be a replacement for it ).
Korea War An unknown number of MiG-15s were shot down by Sabres Notable fighters: F-86 Sabre, others Opposing jets: notably MiG-15 Date: June 1950 to July 1953 The United States Air Force has not always enjoyed the massive technological advantage it does today. In the Korean War, new Soviet MiG-15s outperformed US legacy WWII fighters and older fighter jets. The MiG-15 used a reverse-engineered British Rolls-Royce engine (the British were early jet engine front runners).
The United States rushed its all-new F-86 Sabres to fight the MiG-15s, particularly over "MiG Alley", which is the border between North Korea and China. The Chinese, Soviets, and North Koreans (all operating them) lost hundreds of MiG-15s, but it is diffi.