I think that's a great question.
Someone here with more knowledge can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think one of the key missions of the F-22 is to take out enemy air defense capabilities. If they can pull it off, it opens the skies for all manner of other aircraft to enter and make follow-up strikes.
So if I have it right, the F-22 is a real force-multiplier -- relatively few of them are needed to make a big difference.
Exactly. The F-22 is what the F-117 was technically designed to be used for if there was a conventional war with the Soviet Union in the 80s/90s. The F-22 would clear away all SAM sites and other mobile radars that could be used to direct their air units to intercept our planes. Once all those Radar sites and vehicles are wiped out, even B-52s would be free to roam where they want without fear of repercussion. And what's so great about the F-22, unlike the F-117, the Raptor has 20mm guns on it, and air radar, and it's an awesome dog fighter and could take out anything in the air, even if outnumbered 4 to 1 or more. Most other aircraft couldn't even get a weapons lock on the F-22, while the F-22 is dropping them out of the sky like bad habits. And the F-22 would stay in the air to continue running missions and dropping on areas that would be considered to be too hot for conventional aircraft even after the initial strikes. She sure does free up the Air Force a lot. :) Great addition to the Pentagon arsenal.