[rcme]

Is air-to-air combat really a thing now? I was under the impression it was less important with advances in weapons guidance systems.

[dharmab]

Yes, US aircraft have been participating in air-to-air combat in Syria in recent years against manned and unmanned aircraft.

In particular, the US military relies more on aircraft for air defense and air superiority while post-Soviet militaries rely more on surface to air missile systems.