The first F-22 combat mission Photo| was it taken by a UAV?

F-22’s Takes First Shot Against Ground, Not Air, Target | Defense content from Aviation Week

During three waves of attacks, U.S. and coalition forces attacked 22 targets with roughly 200 munitions, according to defense officials. More than 90% of the strikes were delivered by precision-guided munitions. The F-22 was one of a number of aircraft in the second wave of attacks. Others included  the F-15, F-16, B-1 bomber and unmanned aircraft.

The F-22 targeted an IS command and control building with GPS-guided precision munitions, Lt. Gen. William Mayville, director of operations for the Joint Staff, told  reporters at the Pentagon Sept. 23. Sholtis declined to say what weapon was used, though  it was likely a 1,000-lb. Joint Direct Attack Munition or a 250-lb. Small-Diameter Bomb.

Was that a Lackluster F-22 Debut? | Ares

The F-22’s combat debut – the twin-engine stealth fighter was used in anger against Islamic State (IS) extremists gaining footholds in Syria and Iraq early Sept. 23 in a wave of air strikes – was not the dazzle many had expected. After years of hearing the refrain of the F-22’s purpose to “kick down the door” (thank you Gen. John Jumper, former USAF chief of staff) of air defenses, clearing the way for other assets to do business in an air battle, many probably expected the F-22’s debut to be just that.

So What Took The F-22 Target Photo? | Ares

Not from the F-22, unless the F-22 has been covertly fitted with a targeting pod - which would ruin its stealth and supersonic cruise characteristics. The two images released are taken about the same time of day, as shown by the building shadows.  Barring  remarkable coincidence, they would have been taken shortly  before and after the attack. If that is the case, the different angles suggest that they were acquired by the same platform, orbiting the target - most likely an unmanned air vehicle.

How come it didn't get shot down, if the air threat called for a supersonic stealth fighter?

And if the photos were from a UAV, wouldn't it have been easier (and less risky) to  send a UAV with a laser-guided bomb on board in the first place?

MQ-9 Reaper

 The Aviationist » Weapons system video of first F-22 Raptor air strike on ISIS in Syria.

it’s quite unlikely it is an image taken by the plane itself. It was most probably taken by a
nearby drone (raising the question: if a drone was operating nearby, why wasn’t a Reaper dispatched to hit the compound?).

looks like a predator E/O ball IR video feed