A319
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Flight Crew FLC complied w / Automation / Advisory
Procedure; Aircraft; Human Factors
Descending on the Sunset 3 arrival; we passed ahead of lower traffic (two air force jets; I believe F22 Raptors) then cleared to 16;000 FT.  Around 18;000 a TA interrupted the Approach Checklist.  ATC informed us; 'Air Force jets have accelerated and have us insight; will be passing behind us.' I informed ATC we had a TCAS alert.  Watching the ND; I could see the target at approximately 17;000 and closing in rapidly on us from behind (less than a mile); as we descended through the same altitude.  We got an RA 'Monitor Vertical Speed' which matched our descent rate.  Clear of Conflict came as we leveled off at 16;000 and ATC again; told us jets had us in sight and clear behind us.  I told him we were Clear of TCAS Conflict and level at 16.  He seemed surprised we had a TCAS because the traffic had a visual on us.  I told him that didn't matter; they still gave us an RA alert to descend.  He said OK; I'll pass that on.  The flight continued normally except for the fact we had completely missed the Approach check.  Flight Attendant called to tell us the seatbelt sign wasn't on as we descended through 7;000 feet; we then completed the Approach Checklist.  Remind LAS Approach and the Air Force to maintain standard clearances at all times.   Remind them also that allowing a 'Fly-by' with a commercial airliner with an operating TCAS system will issue Resolution Advisories regardless if they have the aircraft insight; and; that this is not acceptable.
A319 Captain experiences a TCAS RA caused by military aircraft that have him in sight during descent into LAS. Evasive action is not required; but the Controller seemed surprised that the A319 crew would be required to comply with the RA even though the F22's had them insight.