Despite the bravado often seen here at FR over US forces’ flying machismo and expertise, modern Russian SAM systems (acquisition, tracking & engagement) radars and their missile counterparts are deadly - deadly, and a US pilot would be a fool to think otherwise.
Syria isn’t going to be depending on a generation or two old systems like Iraq or in Iran; they’ll have something more up to date for both long-range and close-in support.
Agreed about deadly but also think day 1 Smokes .most of them and CAC. Operators remaining too busy with soiled knickers to concentrate on day 2 when the actual delivery arrives.
One can possess top notch state of the art systems but they'll be largely useless if the operators are incompetent. Even with trained operators an effective SEAD package and good tactics can render a state of the art system moot.
Send in McCain to fly the first mission.