F-22 Raptor news

Bulldogs accept delivery of last Raptor

Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 16, 2012 (by David Bedard) - After a grueling eight-and-a-half hour non-stop flight from Georgia, the airplane carrying Air Force Lt. Col. Paul Moga finally touched down on Alaska soil after a week long business trip.

The last manufactured F-22A (block 40 no. 10-4195), flown by Lt. Col. Paul Moga, 525th FS commander, touches down at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flightline on May 5th, 2012.

Despite sitting in the same seat for the entire trip, Moga sprang up when he spotted his waiting family. He could see them waving, and the colonel was all too eager to wave back.

Finally, the plane came to a gliding stop on the tarmac. Rather than waiting for the captain of an airliner to turn off the seatbelt sign, Moga instead actuated the hydraulic struts of his golden-hued canopy, because he wasn't a passenger on a 767 - he was the pilot of a supersonic F-22 Raptor air-dominance fighter.

Beginning early morning Saturday, Moga, 525th Fighter Squadron commander, piloted F-22 Tail No. (10-4195) from Dobbins Air Force Base near Marietta, Ga., to JBER, where he was greeted by his family and 3rd Wing Airmen. The delivery was especially significant, because the fighter is the last F-22 scheduled to be manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

Though the F-22 required aerial refueling during the Raptor's journey to its new home, Moga said the trip was quite routine. What wasn't routine, however, were the events surrounding his receipt of the fighter at the manufacturer's Marietta facility.

"Logistically, it was a very simple process," he said. "For a few days last week - that single aircraft represented the entire weapon system."

Jeff Babione, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager of the F-22 Program recalled many of the hurdles that were surmounted in order to field the
Raptor.

"When we started the (F-22) program, there were a lot of technologies that just flat didn't exist," he said. "The F-22 was not an evolution of the F-15 (Eagle) and the F-16 (Fighting Falcon). It was a revolution in the way it did sensor fusion, integration into the pilot's command and control of the airplane ... It's the first operational low-observable fighter airplane."

During a May 3 ceremony at Marietta, Babione passed a ceremonial key for 4195 to Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who in turn gave the key to Moga. Moga then passed the key to 4195 dedicated crew chief Air Force Staff Sgt. Damon Crawford, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

Moga said, throughout the week, he was impressed by the dedication of Babione's team to the success of the Raptor.

"For them to be able to hand over the last F-22 ever built is a little bit of a bittersweet moment for them," Moga explained. "It was almost as if they were watching their kid graduate from high school, and they were sending him off to college. You hate to see them go, but you know they are going to do great things - and they're probably going to do better things than you've dreamed they were ever going to do."

Moga said he spent the day after the ceremony mission planning - checking the weather along the route, validating the flight plan, and performing pre-flight checks of 4195.

Saturday morning, Moga reported to Dobbins Base Operations at 7 a.m. local time, 3 a.m. Alaska time, to begin the long journey that would finally find him and the last Raptor home early afternoon.

Because the flight was pushed back a day, there was very little pomp and circumstance at the 525th FS hangar when 4195 touched down with Tail No. 4193, the new 3rd Wing flagship flown by 3rd Wing commander, Air Force Col. Dirk Smith.

Beside a handful of crew chiefs in addition to 3rd Wing and 3rd Operations Group leadership, Moga was also greeted by his wife Amanda, daughter Madeline, 3, son P.J., 1, and mother-in-law Iris Jones.

Despite the quiet welcome, Moga said the inclusion of 4195 into his squadron marked a momentous milestone.

"It means a lot to the Bulldogs," he said. "We have a lot of squadron pride. We have a great heritage and a great history, and this is another honor that has been bestowed upon us by the aircraft.

"It comes with some responsibility," Moga continued. "The last F-22 is a big deal and we know that. I can't think of a better squadron for 195 to live in."

Moga said the F-22, the only fully-operational fifth-generation fighter in the world, is the best weapon system to give him the edge he needs to dominate any adversary in the foreseeable future.

"When our national leadership decides to use this capability in combat, I have no doubt in my mind that it will exceed all expectations," he said. "This fighter is the most capable fighter aircraft that has ever been built far and away. I flew the F-15 for seven years - I went to combat in it - and if I had to go to war tomorrow, I wouldn't want to go in another jet besides the F-22. That's how good it is."

With the F-22, The U.S. Air Force is currently the only entity operating a fifth-generation fighter.

The U.S. isn't the only country developing a fifth-generation fighter. Russia's Sukhoi Company is developing the PAK-FA T-50 stealth fighter, while China's Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group is developing the J-20 stealth fighter.

Moga said it requires a lot more than marrying a stealth coating with fancy avionics to design and build a true fifth-generation fighter. The F-22 combines stealth, fully-integrated avionics, super maneuverability and maintainability.

"Those are the packaged items that - because the F-22 represents a significant amount of progress in all of those areas or a complete deviation from what we had before - that's why it's so much different," the colonel explained. "You put all of those elements together and make a weapons system operational, then you can say 'Yep, this system is fifth generation.'

"Other aircraft are stealth," Moga continued. "Other aircraft are fast. Other aircraft can fly high. Other aircraft have individual portions of our integrated avionics and our sensor fusion. That is not unique. But when you put all of those together in one airframe, it's unique to the point that we are confident that no other country has that capability set."

Sitting at rest on the tarmac, 4195 looks like a coiled viper - both purposeful and aggressive. It's computer-aided designed curves and creases appear more organic when compared to the industrial lines of fourth-generation designs conceived on drawing boards.

Those curves include stealth shaping, which help the F-22 to be the most stealthy aircraft devised for U.S. service, according to a 2005 Air Force statement. In conjunction with vectored-thrust nozzles, the Raptor's design also helps it to be super maneuverable, giving it the capability to outturn an adversary in a dogfight.

One fifth-generation aspect Moga highlighted was the Raptor's ability to supercruise, which allows the F-22 to travel at speeds in excess of Mach 1.5 without the use of afterburners.

"Being able to operate at high altitudes and very high airspeeds is a huge capability when you talk about where we expect to operate this weapon system," Moga said. "In the anti-access, area-denial role, altitude and airspeed are some of the keys to survivability when you start talking about going against very robust surface-to-air missile systems. The higher you are and the faster you are, the better your stealth works. That has been proven."

Moga said an ongoing update initiative is Increment 3.1, which affords the F-22 an enhanced air-to-ground repertoire, including the capability to self generate coordinates for air-to-ground bombs.

The pilot said the combination of the the Raptor's current capabilities and projected upgrades serve as a deterrent to any foe contemplating taking the F-22 on in air-to-air combat.

Since the Raptor has been operational, nobody has decided to take us on in a big shooting war, air-to-air wise," Moga said. "That is deterrence."

Moga said because of the strategic importance of the Pacific, the F-22 is ideally positioned at JBER with the 525th and 90th fighter squadrons.

"Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a stepping stone to the Pacific," the colonel said. "In the Pacific Command area of operations, everyone talks about the tyranny of distance - everything is a long way away. If you look at JBER geographically, we're perfectly suited as a full-time location for this capability, and within a matter of hours, we can pretty much get anywhere we need to be in the Pacific."

Moga said he is also grateful for the combination of the training opportunities afforded by the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex, and for the support of the local community.

"Alaska has some of the best range complexes you're going to find anywhere in the world," he said. "The airspace is outstanding. The local community embraces us. I can't think of a better place to be in the military and fly fighters."

With 3rd Wing's combination of it's F-22 capability and it's power projection platform at JBER, Moga said the base's Raptors are ready to meet the needs of theater commanders worldwide.

"We need to present our combatant commanders the capability that says, 'If you ask us to do something, it doesn't matter where it is and doesn't matter what the enemy has, they cannot stop us,'" he said. "That is what the Raptor is all about."

Courtesy of JBER Public Affairs

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Last Raptor reports for duty (2012-05-11)
Air Force accepts final F-22 Raptor (2012-05-03)
Lockheed Martin delivers final F-22 Raptor (2012-05-02)
Lockheed Martin rolls-out final F-22 Raptor (2011-12-15)
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A beautiful hanger shot of F-22 block 40 no. 10-4195, the last F-22 to be built as seen on May 2nd, 2012.

USAF F-22A block 40 no. 10-4195, the last F-22 to be built as seen on May 2nd, 2012 during its delivery ceremony.

Panetta orders air force to take further steps on F-22

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 15, 2012 (by American Forces Press Service) - With safety remaining his top concern, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta has ordered the Air Force to take additional steps to mitigate risks to F-22 pilots, George Little, acting assistant secretary of defense for public affairs, said on May 15 during a Pentagon news conference.

Beginning in 2008, a few pilots experienced hypoxia-like symptoms when flying the aircraft, Little told reporters at a Pentagon news conference. Hypoxia is a deficiency of oxygen. There have been a total of 12 cases of these hypoxia-like symptoms affecting pilots.

Little said the secretary has followed developments in the F-22 closely and has directed the Air Force to expedite the installation of an automatic backup oxygen system in all of the planes.

In addition, effective immediately, all F-22 flights will remain near potential landing locations to enable quick recovery and landing should a pilot encounter unanticipated physiological conditions during flight Little said.

Finally, Panetta directed the Air Force to provide him with a monthly progress report as the service continues the search for the root cause of the problem.

These steps are in addition to the measures the Air Force is already taking to determine the root causes of the hypoxia-like symptoms pilots have experienced.

Panetta made this decision in part due to the reluctance of some pilots to fly the aircraft, Little said.

"Secretary Panetta believes the department must do everything possible to ensure pilot safety and minimize flight risks," Little said.

The secretary's directions take into account the need for determining the cause of the problem, while still allowing the military to use the unique capabilities provided by the F-22 Raptor. The aircraft are based in the United States and are now deployed to Southwest Asia, Little said. As the only fifth-generation aircraft in the world, he added, the plane is the most capable fighter in the air and is necessary to maintain U.S. air dominance.

"Safety is a zero-sum game," Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said at the news conference. The automatic backup oxygen system will complete testing by the end of November, with installation in line fighters beginning in December. Ten Raptors will be retrofitted with this system per month, he said.

Keeping the F-22 fleet flying allows the service to examine the aircraft closely. "There's a troubleshooting process going on right now," Kirby said. "So the aircraft being in operation assists that process. We believe weâve mitigated the risks as much as possible."

But safety is the paramount concern, he said, and if he needs to, the secretary will ground the fleet. "But right now, he believes â¦ this is the right course," Kirby said.

The Air Force has been studying the problem since 2008. "The root cause of hypoxia-like events has not been determined," Little said. "It is possible â¦ that it could be attributed to the oxygen system in the airplane â thus the installation of a backup system. But it could have other causes, too, and the Air Force is aggressively looking at other factors that could be contributing."

Courtesy of US Department of Defense

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Air Force still searching for cause of sickness among F-22 pilots (2012-05-09)
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F-22 scientific board findings announced pilot safety is priority (2012-04-04)
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Last Raptor reports for duty

Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 11, 2012 (by A1C Elizabeth Gaston) - The last F-22 Raptor, tail number 4195, from Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Company left Dobbins Air Reserve Base May 5 to report for duty at its new unit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska.

The last manufactured F-22A (block 40 no. 10-4195), flown by Lt. Col. Paul Moga, 525th FS commander, touches down at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson flightline on May 5th, 2012.

This final plane completes the Raptor project with Lockheed Martin and the operational Air Force's multi-role fighter contingent of 187 advanced tactical fighters.

The 195th Raptor was piloted by Lt. Col. Paul Moga, 525th Fighter Squadron commander and accompanied by Raptor number 193, piloted by Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander. The 195th and 193rd Raptors will serve as the flagship jets for the group and wing, respectively.

These last two jets will give the wing at a total of 47 Raptors, which is approximately one-third of the Air Force's operational fleet, said Smith.

It took just under eight hours to fly from Dobbins ARB, Ga. to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, according to Dobbins Base Operations. This was a 3,329 mile trip. Along the way, the two F-22s were met by tanker aircraft for aerial refueling.

"We know that Dobbins is going to miss the Raptor," said Moga. "However, we'd like to assure everyone that the jet will be in good hands, and we promise to take care of it. It's kind of like seeing your kids off to college. Now you get to sit back and wait for them to do all the great things you know they're going to do."

The F-22 is expected to have better maintainability, sustainability and be more reliable than past fighters. Achievement of this expectation will reduce man hours needed to fix the aircraft and efficiency associated with scheduled upkeep.

"This is the best jet out there," said Staff Sgt. Damon S. Crawford, dedicated crew chief for Raptor 195 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. "The support is great. It's easy to maintain and often takes care of itself."

The Raptor is the world's only operational 5th-generation fighter, and is expected to ensure continued air-superiority through cutting-edge technology.

Advanced cockpit and sensor design allows pilots to identify, track and neutralize threats before the airplane is detected, using capabilities to attack air or ground targets, according to U.S. Air Force officials.

F-22 engines produce more thrust than any other fighter's engine. "Supercruise" technology utilizes this increase in thrust as well as the sleek aerodynamic design of the F-22 to literally cruise at supersonic speeds (greater than 1.5 Mach) without using the fuel-consuming afterburner that all other fighter aircraft must use.

The F-22 Advanced Tactical Fighter began the Demonstration and Validation phase in 1986. The two competing prototypes of the F-22, the FY-22 and the FY-23, completed testing in 1990 when the FY-22 was selected for development. Lockheed Martin was awarded the contract to build the F-22 in 1991.

Lockheed Martin partnered with the U.S. Air Force, Boeing and Pratt & Whitney to produce the 195 F-22s.

The F-22 Raptor has been hailed as the most advanced weapons system the world has ever seen.

"The Raptor is a great jet," said Smith. "We feel very fortunate in that we get to receive them. We get to fly them, take care of them and execute a very important mission."

Courtesy of 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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On May 5th, 2012, the last two F-22s departed from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, for their new home in Alaska. Raptors 10-4193 and 10-4195 joined other F-22s in the USAFâs 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

Medical official explains F-22 pilot-protection efforts

Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 10, 2012 (by Amaani Lyle) - Air Force officials have instituted measures designed to protect its pilots, ensure mission completion and assess the possible physiological effects of flying the F-22 Raptor, the command surgeon for Air Combat Command said May 9.

"The health and safety of our pilots -- all of our pilots -- is the utmost priority," said Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Daniel O. Wyman. "Our operational flight surgeons and medical staff interact with our pilots on a daily basis, and mission No. 1 is their health and safety."

Before resuming F-22 flights in September 2011 after a safety stand-down, Wyman said, officials collected baseline blood samples and pulmonary function tests from every pilot.

"We had every pilot go through retraining with the reduced oxygen breathing device so that they would experience and know their own specific 'hypoxia symptoms,'" he said, adding that the command also incorporated a pilot pulse oximeter and the C2A1 filter as protective measures.

Designed and certified by the Defense Department for the chemical warfare environment, Wyman said, the C2A1 filter canister was incorporated into the pilot's life support system to filter any potential contaminants from the air they breathed. The filter has been tested against military and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health protocols and found to be effective against a number of different chemical warfare and industrial chemicals.

"It was cleared for flight use by the U.S. Air Force program office and has been used by the military for over a decade in the ground crew and aircrew ensembles," he added.

For each flight, the pilot would receive a new C2A1 filter consisting of a high-efficiency particulate, or HEPA, air filter and activated carbon and charcoal, Wyman said, and they turned in the filters at the end of each flight.

Once flying resumed, Wyman said, a black dust was found in some of the breathing hoses near the C2A1 filter.

"We analyzed it and found it to be activated carbon dust ... an inert or nonreactive compound that has been used for air and water filtration for decades without any significant evidence of harm," Wyman said.

Filter test results indicated the amount of activated carbon dust liberated during normal use was well below the industrial hygiene standard levels set by government agencies, the command surgeon said. Thirty pilot throat swab samples examined by electron microscope also indicated no evidence of activated carbon, he added.

Still, some Raptor pilots have reported suffering persistent coughing, which Wyman maintained may stem from high concentrations of oxygen while undergoing spiked G-forces during maneuvering. These conditions, he said, may result in adsorption of the oxygen -- adhesion of a small layer of molecules -- and subsequent microcollapse of some of the small air sacs in the lungs.

"Coughing is a natural physiologic response that serves to re-inflate the air sacs," Wyman said, noting the condition typically occurs following the flight and is brief in duration.

Air Combat Command officials have implemented a "recognize-confirm-recover" approach to fortify safety measures, Wyman said. In addition to training that helps ensure pilots can more readily recognize hypoxia or hypoxia-like symptoms, fliers can also pull an emergency oxygen ring, then descend to an altitude at which hypoxia would not occur, he said.

Wyman stressed that the command will continue to evaluate for other potential contaminates or environmental or aircraft system factors through the use of sensors and other collection devices. No root cause has yet been discovered, he said.

"Every step of the way during the F-22 return-to-fly, we have worked with our pilots and all of our personnel involved to inspect the fleet, train the force, protect the crews and collect and analyze data," Wyman said.Air Force officials have instituted measures designed to protect its pilots, ensure mission completion and assess the possible physiological effects of flying the F-22 Raptor, the command surgeon for Air Combat Command said May 9.

Courtesy of American Forces Press Service

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Air Force still searching for cause of sickness among F-22 pilots

Wed, 09 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 9, 2012 (by Jennifer Hlad ) - Air Force officials said Wednesday they still have not found the cause of the hypoxia-like symptoms that have affected F-22 Raptor pilots and maintainers, nor are they sure why a short-term cough that can result from breathing high concentrations of oxygen is more common in F-22 pilots than in F-15 and F-16 pilots.

USAF F-22 Raptor

"The flight envelope of the F-22 is significantly different than the other fighters, and this may contribute to the cough, but we're continuing to evaluate it with our pilots," Brig. Gen. Daniel Wyman, surgeon general of Air Combat Command, told reporters in a conference call.

The F-22 can fly faster and at much higher altitudes than other fighters.

The Air Force grounded the supersonic fighters last May after at least 14 "physiological incidents" â pilots experienced headaches, nausea, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and other symptoms that are typical for a lack of oxygen â but returned the fighters to the air in September. In March, members of an Air Force advisory panel said they had not been able to determine what caused the incidents, but they are confident the F-22âs oxygen system does not pose any unnecessary risk.

Since the Raptors returned to flight, there have been 11 incidents of symptoms associated with oxygen deprivation in F-22 pilots â and five aircraft maintainers have reported those types of symptoms as well, Wyman said. The maintainers were inside the cockpits of the aircraft while the plane was on the ground, Wyman said, but were not using the oxygen masks.

The symptoms in each incident have been "nonspecific," varying from person to person, but are symptoms characteristic of oxygen deprivation, Wyman said. Two pilots were treated in a hyperbaric chamber.

Before returning to flight, Raptor pilots went through additional oxygen-deprivation training to ensure they could recognize their symptoms. Additional sensors and emergency measures also were added to the planes so pilots can easily activate backup oxygen and alarms at the first sign of trouble, said Col. Paul Gardetto, Air Combat Commandâs chief of aerospace physiology.

No pilots have experienced the symptoms during long-distance flights over water or while flying missions during deployment, Wyman said.

Last week, two F-22 pilots appeared on CBS's "60 Minutes" to discuss the safety issues and explain why they are refusing to fly until the problem is resolved. Those pilots have been granted whistleblower status and will not be punished for coming forward, the Air Force Times reported.

While the Air Force has not found a "smoking gun," they continue to investigate the incidents and search for the cause, Wyman said.

"The safety of our pilots is our primary concern," he said.

Published on May 9th, 2009 in the Stars and Stripes.
Used with permission from Stars and Stripes, a DoD publication.
© 2012 Stars and Stripes.

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ACC confident in F-22

Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 5, 2012 (by TSgt. Amy Robinson) - Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, talked with media on April 30 about the national security imperative for the F-22, the status of efforts to identify a root cause for unexplained physiological incidents, and risk mitigation efforts since the Raptor's return to flying operations in September 2011.

Confirming recent media reports of the F-22 deploying to Southwest Asia, Hostage emphasized the Raptor's ability to support combatant commander requirements around the world.

"I won't comment where it's deployed to or where it deployed from, but yes, the F-22 is on an operational deployment now. And this is not the first operational deployment," he said. "If your adversary is so concerned about what your capabilities are they decide not to engage with you, that to me is the ultimate use of your military capability. People pay attention to where this airplane goes and what it does...we need to make sure that it's a sustained part of our inventory."

The command-directed stand down from May to September 2011 was a prudent measure following reports of potential oxygen system malfunctions. Since the stand down, ACC has implemented a number of risk mitigation measures intended to protect F-22 pilots and maintenance crews and prevent future incidents.

Hostage said he understands there are still concerns about the aircraft; however, he explained that there's always a certain amount of risk involved, and the risk must be balanced with the requirement for the capability.

"In a peacetime training circumstance, we want to operate at as low of risk is prudent for the level of training we get out of a mission," he said. "When we go into combat, risk goes up, but the reason to assume that risk goes up as well.

"We live in a community where risk is part of our lives," he said. "If we think the risk has gone to a level where we just can't accept it, we either reduce that risk or eliminate it. But right now, we believe that risk -although it's not as low as we would like it - is low enough to safely operate the airplane at the current tempo."

Hostage said he believes this risk is not a risk he expects his Airmen to take alone. In an effort to learn more about the aircraft and get a better understanding of what F-22 pilots are dealing with, ACC's commander will soon begin flying the Raptor.

"I'm asking these guys to assume some risk that's over and above what everybody else is assuming, and I don't feel like it's right that I ask them to do it and then I'm not willing to do it myself -- that's not fair," he said, adding that the day they figure out what the problem is the day he will stop flying.

Since the aircraft resumed flying operations in September, the F-22 has flown more than 12,000 sorties and returned to operational capability.

"We've taken a very specific, methodical approach to how we return to flying -- the types of missions and the durations of the missions," said Maj. Gen. Charles Lyon, ACC director of operations. "We've been continually increasing the types and durations."

The Air Force continues to search for the root cause of the unexplained physiological incidents using detailed data-collection methods, which will soon include centrifuge and high-energy testing. Hostage said he believes the command is making significant progress toward an answer; however, he emphasized that scientific testing and data collection take time.

"I believe we are making significant progress toward an answer," said Hostage. "I don't want to characterize how far or when because I don't own the progress of science. But I am confident we're going to get to a solution."

Both Lyon and Hostage compared this to the early days of the F-16.

Although the first F-16 had its first operational flight in 1970, the combat edge aircrew flight equipment, which was optimized for high-G flight, wasn't fielded until about 1988, Lyon said.

"We didn't field it slowly because we had fiscal challenges - it took us that long to get the understanding over time of what was actually happening."

Hostage illustrated a similar analogy regarding the unknown effects of human physiology and technology.

"What we're looking at is human physiology and the regime this airplane operates in," he said. "This airplane does things airplanes have never done before in regimes of flight that we've never operated in before."

And Hostage said he's confident they will find a solution for what he calls "the most tactically-capable aircraft in the world."

"This nation needs this airplane - and every one of them," he said. "I wish I had ten times as many as I have."Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, talked with media on April 30 about the national security imperative for the F-22, the status of efforts to identify a root cause for unexplained physiological incidents, and risk mitigation efforts since the Raptor's return to flying operations in September 2011.

Courtesy of Air Combat Command Public Affairs

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Air Force accepts final F-22 Raptor

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 3, 2012 (by A1C Elizabeth Gaston) - Senior Air Force officials attended a ceremony here May 2 commemorating the delivery of the final F-22 Raptor to the service.

The 195th and final F-22 was delivered to the USAF in ceremonies on May 2nd, 2012 at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia. The aircraft (serial number 10-4195) will be flown to JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, where it will serve as the new flagship for the 525th FS.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz was joined by Sen. Johnny Isakson of Georgia and other industry, Air Force and civilian leaders as they were welcomed to Dobbins Air Reserve Base and the Lockheed Martin Marietta plant for the event.

The final delivery completes the Air Force's fleet of 195 F-22s. The Raptor is a key component of the Global Strike Task Force and is unmatched by any fighter aircraft due to its speed, stealth and maneuverability, according to Air Force officials.

During his remarks at the ceremony, Schwartz said the delivery represents an important element in the Air Force's overall modernization effort.

"Thank you to all of the partners in industry and government that made this occasion a reality," the general said. "I especially want to pay tribute to the line workers and engineers whose technical expertise, attention to detail and commitment to our nation's defense transformed an innovative notion into America's first 5th generation fighter aircraft."

When it was time to unveil the final F-22, the hangar doors rose and cheers from the assembled guests and workers erupted.

Robert Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive officer, said the very existence of the F-22 has altered the strategic landscape forever.

"It is also fair to say that, along the way, the F-22 has had a fair number of challenges and a fair number of critics," Stevens said. "But let's not fail to take note today of the number of nations, who rank among either competitors or adversaries, who are frantically trying to replicate what you have done."

The final F-22, tail number 4195, will be flown to its new unit at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage, Alaska.

Courtesy of 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

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USAF F-22A block 40 no. 10-4195, the last F-22 to be built as seen on May 2nd, 2012 during its delivery ceremony.

Lockheed Martin delivers final F-22 Raptor

Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 2, 2012 (by Alison Orne) - Lockheed Martin delivered today the 195th and last F-22 Raptor (10-4195) to U.S. Air Force in a ceremony at the Lockheed Martin's Marietta Aeronautics site.

A beautiful hanger shot of F-22 block 40 no. 10-4195, the last F-22 to be built as seen on May 2nd, 2012.

With this delivery, the U.S. Air Force now possesses the worldâs only 5th generation stealth fighter aircraft fleet in the world.

"There is no longer any nation that wishes us ill or any adversary who wishes us harm that has any doubt that their actions will have consequences â that they will be held to account and that our response will be undeterred," said Robert J. Stevens, Lockheed Martin's chairman and CEO. "The very existence of this airplane â your airplane â has altered the strategic landscape forever."

A host of distinguished officials participated in this monumental event, including senior leaders from Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force; local, state and national elected officials; and Lockheed Martin employees who helped build the F-22 Raptor fleet.

This final Raptor joins a U.S. Air Force fleet of 187 operational F-22s and will join other F-22s in the Air Forceâs 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. In all, Lockheed Martin delivered 195 F-22s to the Air Force beginning in 1997, with eight Raptors used as test aircraft.

F-22s are assigned to seven U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development continues at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot training takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational F-22 aircraft are assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Holloman AFB, N. M.; and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

Courtesy of Lockheed Martin

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The last Raptor - no. 10-4195 (40 replies)

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USAF F-22A block 40 no. 10-4195, the last F-22 to be built as seen on May 2nd, 2012 during its delivery ceremony.

USAF F-22 block 40 no. 10-4195, the final F-22, is seen rolled off the assembly line in ceremonies at the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia on December 13th, 2011.

Raptor Banner Shoot tests combat capability

Tue, 01 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

May 1, 2012 (by Capt. Ashley Conner) - F-22 pilots from the 302nd, 525th and 90th Fighter Squadrons tested their aim during a banner shoot April 23-27.

A 3- ship of USAF F-22 Raptors from the 3rd FW, Elmendorf AFB fly for a training mission during Red Flag 11-3 on March 2nd, 2011.

A banner shoot is best described as aerial target practice for the F-22. The pilots fire the F-22's 20 millimeter cannon at a banner, measuring 8 feet wide and 40 feet long, being towed behind a Cessna 441 Conquest II.

"We do it to maintain combat readiness and ensure we can use the gun when needed," said Lt. Col. Joseph Kunkel, 90th Fighter Squadron commander. "Everyone from the ammo troops delivering the bullets, to the weapons troops loading the bullets to pilots shooting them at the target is exercised."

In one sortie the Raptors fire 420 bullets in 100 bullet bursts between 1,000 to 2,500 feet away from the banner. For safety reasons the pilots don't get close enough to the banner while in-flight to see if they hit the banner.

While this might seem like a risky job for the tow plane pilot there are also measures in place to ensure his safety.

"I'm not worried about hitting the piloted tow airplane with rounds because we take necessary precautions not to point the gun towards the aircraft, only the banner that is being towed approximately 2000 feet behind," said Maj. Jeremy Weihrich, 302nd FS F-22 pilot. "You have to remain aware of your surroundings and ensure the weapon is not pointed where it shouldn't be, very similar to a pistol or rifle gun range."

Weihrich said that flying the F-22 armed with bullets feels stable and identical to flying a jet not carrying live rounds.

"The big difference is the noise and rumble of the 20 millimeter M-61A2 Gatlin gun," said Weihrich. "The first few times I shot the gun, it startled me with the noise and vibration induced as a result of the 100 rounds a second being expended. In fact, it still gives me the chills each opportunity I get to employ the weapon."

Once the sortie is complete the tow aircraft drops the banner at Donnelly Airfield, near Fairbanks, Alaska where a team picks it up for collection and inspection at the end of the week.

This is the first time the banner was made locally which if effective will significantly reduce the cost of gun employment sorties. The 3rd Wing Weapons shop will analyze the effectiveness of this banner as compared to the banners used in other weapon system exercises.

Although banner shoots are yearly requirements for Raptor pilots it will be the first time shooting for a few wingmen in both the 90th and 525th FS.

"This is the first time I have shot the F-22 gun but I have been fortunate enough to shoot a very similar gun many times in the Australian F/A-18s," said Flt. Lt. Mark Biele 90th FS Australian F-22 exchange pilot. "The training and the careful preparation make this a very controlled, calculated event. There is no substitute for live bullets, missiles, and bombs from a training perspective. (In future banner shoots) I look forward to impressive squadron results and high levels of maintenance proficiency."

The Reserve pilots assigned to the 302nd FS make up a small group of experienced pilots lending their expertise to enhance the total force mission.

"Most (Reserve F-22 pilots) have experience with live-gun employment in the F-22 and nine are instructors for this mission," said Weihrich. "It speaks volumes to the Reservist contribution to gaining and maintaining F-22 live weapons experience here. It's that experience that gives pilots confidence in their systems and weapons to perform as expected in a combat situation."

This training comes the week before the last F-22 will be delivered from the Lockheed Martin plant in Marietta, Ga. to the 525th FS.

Editors note: Lt. Col. Joseph Kunkel was the commander of the 90th Fighter Squadron during the banner shoot but relinquished command to Lt. Col. Nicholas Reed during a change of command ceremony here April 27.

Courtesy of 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

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Raptor test pilot jets past 1,000 flight hours

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

April 24, 2012 (by Stephanie Stinn) - What distinction does James "JB" Brown have that no other F-22 Raptor test pilot has? More than 1,000 flight hours in the Raptor, thatâs what.

Chief Test pilot, James 'JB' Brown in the cockpit of the F-22, where he flew past 1,000 flight hours.

Brown, who is the Lockheed Martin F-22 chief test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), Calif., surpassed the momentous milestone on April 6. He was feted for his achievement with a dosing of cold water from teammates at Edwards AFB, immediately upon landing.

Logging a significant amount of hours in a fighter cockpit isnât anything unique for Brown, who has 950-plus hours flying F-4s and F-117s. But, it was the stealthy F-22 Raptor that established new personal and company records.

He's been flying the Raptor for Lockheed Martin since 2002. Previous to this, he flew the F-117 for the company as a test pilot. Brown joined Lockheed Martin in 1994 after 14 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew F-4s, F-5s and F-15s.

Brown and the Raptor have spent a lot of time together, which is why the delivery of the last Raptor â tail number 4195 â on May 2 is yet another milestone for him.

"One of best parts of this job is watching the F-22 Raptor mature and progress," Brown said, adding that he will be in Marietta for the final delivery.

Brown continues to fly F-22s at Edwards AFB and log more hours â which is just one of the reasons he said he loves his job.

"[With this job], you never have the same two days in a row," he said. "Plus, flying the F-22 Raptor is just plain cool."

Courtesy of Lockheed Martin

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Chief Test pilot, James 'JB' Brown poses by the side of a F-22. Brown recently past 1,000hrs in the F-22.

F-22 1000hr patch

Alaskan F-22s reach major upgrade milestone

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

April 20, 2012 (by Capt. Ashley Conner) - Alaskan F-22s met a major milestone during a recent training sortie when new upgrades to the fighter allowed for a Joint Direct Attack Munition to be dropped on self generated coordinates.

Software and hardware upgrades, part of the F-22 modernization plan known as Increment 3.1, allow for pilots to map the ground using the radar before dropping the munitions. Previously they had to rely on outside sources to locate targets and provide coordinates before dropping a weapon. Increment 3.1 drops have, until now, only been accomplished on test missions.

"The ability to drop weapons on self generated coordinates is significant because it gives commanders the ability to task us against dynamic targets," Lt. Col. Robert Davis, 90th FS director of operations. "When combined with other recent modifications, the F-22 now has significantly more lethality, flexibility, and survivability in an Anti-Access/Area Denial scenario."

This milestone sortie kicked off a week of JDAM training for the 90th FS and its Reserve Total Force Integration partner, the 302nd FS.

"Like any other skill, if you don't practice it you run the risk of losing proficiency," said Capt. Evan Parr, 90th FS F-22 pilot and flight lead during the first sortie of the week. "We practice dropping simulated JDAMs every couple months as a part of our training plan. Nothing can replace the feeling of something falling off of your jet when you hit the pickle button - let alone all of the things that must be considered prior to hitting the pickle button."

Over a five day period the 90th FS dropped eight live and 12 inert JDAMs on target without incident on the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

Dropping air to ground ordinance is not only good training for the pilots but also for Airmen from the 3rd Munitions Squadron, who build the bombs, and the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who load the bombs on the jets allowing for the entire Arctic Warrior team to receive valuable training.

Air Force Reserve maintainers from the 477th Fighter Group are integrated with their active duty counterparts on a daily basis and were involved in this training to maintain proficiency as well.

"We have evaluators that go out on launches as the weapon crews are arming the aircraft to ensure they are conducting proper arming procedures," said Senior Master Sgt. Benjamin Dorsey, Weapons Standardization superintendent for the 3rd Wing and 477th FG. "Once the jets land we also conduct the recovery procedures to ensure that no parts are damaged and the rack is clean."

With the ability to generate F-22s for realistic training carrying both live and inert weapons, high fidelity air-to-air training with the aggressors, robust embedded training capability in the F-22's software, along with live emitters and targets on the JPARC makes training in Alaska a unique and valuable experience for the Raptor pilots and maintainers.

"The key to our continuous improvement and constantly increasing level of combat capability is the tremendous talent and leadership by our Airmen, young NCOs, and Company Grade Officers," said Col. Dirk Smith, 3rd Wing commander. "It is a privilege to be a part of this team and to see them in action every day. Seamless teamwork between the 477th FG and the 3rd WG is simply a part of every aspect of our F-22 operation every day and it is critical to our combat readiness."

In the upcoming week the 525th FS, the other active duty F-22 squadron here which is also partnered with the Reserve 302nd FS, also plans to drop JDAMs from F-22s upgraded with Increment 3.1.

Courtesy of 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

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Reserve, active duty F-22 pilots fly long-range strike exercise

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

April 9, 2012 (by Capt. Ashley Conner) - A mix of personnel from the 477th Fighter Group, 3rd Wing, and 673rd Air Base Wing left Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, to participate in a long range strike exercise on April 4.

F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson fly over Alaska.

F-22 Raptors and E-3's assigned to the 3rd Wing along with F-16s from Misawa Air Base, Japan, B-1's from Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and KC-135s from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, participated in the U.S. Strategic Command operation. JB Elmendorf F-22s, Eielson AFB, KC-135s and the Aggressor F-16 force operated out of Eielson AFB, while the E-3 and blue air F-16s supporting the exercise operated out of JB Elmendorf. The B-1 bombers participating in the long range strike exercise flew a 10-hour round trip sortie from Ellsworth AFB to strike their targets just east of Eielson AFB.

"The objective of this operation was to validate the long range strike capability of the B-1s as well as the F-22 and F-16s ability to escort them into an anti-access target area," said Lt. Col. Joseph Kunkel, 90th Fighter Squadron commander, who sent five 90th FS pilots, a 302d FS pilot, 20 maintainers, a flight surgeon and a bio environmental engineer to Eielson AFB for the exercise.

This was the first time the Raptors participated in this exercise which integrated with multiple platforms from different major commands. It was also the first time that increment 3.1, a recent F-22 hardware and software upgrade, was used in a large force employment exercise.

"Increment 3.1 gives the Raptor the means to find and engage targets on the ground. During this operation it was critical to follow-on forces completing their missions," said Kunkel. "Our integration of 3.1 went extremely well. We were able to glean invaluable lessons from this exercise that we had not seen before and we completed increment 3.1 upgrades for two of the pilots."

The operation was conducted on the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex near Eielson AFB. The 65,000 square mile air space provides a diverse training environment allowing pilots to train realistically and jointly in situations similar to what they'll face in combat.

While this was the first time increment 3.1 and the Raptors participated in this exercise it was not the first time the Reserve F-22 pilots assigned to the 302nd FS which falls under the 477th FG integrated with the active duty. Since the unit was activated in 2007 pilots and maintainers have integrated in all aspects of the 3rd Wing's F-22 operations.

"This realistic training is a result of high quality Airmen leveraging new capabilities on an excellent training range, " said Col. Tyler Otten, 477th Fighter Group deputy commander. "This is a great example of total force integration partners working together to accomplish our shared mission."

Courtesy of 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

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F-22 Raptors assigned to the 90th FS prepare to take off from Eielson AFB on April 4th, 2012. The Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson were participating in Operation Chimichanga, a long range strike exercise over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex.

F-22 scientific board findings announced pilot safety is priority

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

April 4, 2012 (by Mitch Gettle) - Air Force leaders provided an update on the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board study into the F-22 Raptor life support systems and flight operations during a briefing in the Pentagon March 29.

Retired Gen. Gregory Martin, an aviator and a former commander of two major commands, chaired the nine member SAB team which studied the aircrafts' on-board oxygen generation systems and briefed its findings and recommendations in trying to determine a root cause for pilots experiencing unexplained physiological events with the F-22 Raptor.

"From April 2008 until May 2011, the Air Force experienced 14 physiological incidents with the fleet of F-22s," Martin said. "Each incident was investigated, and of those incidents, 10 did not reveal a root cause."

It was the unexplained nature of those incidents that gave the Air Force concern and led the Secretary of the Air Force to ask for a broad area review which the SAB conducted, he added.

"We were unable to determine a root cause, but we were able to put in place the proper safety measures and risk mitigation techniques that would allow the F-22 fleet to return to fly...to ensure the integrity of the life support system," Martin said. "We went from ground test to flight test to a return to fly phase, and moving into a transition phase."

The advisory board made nine findings and 14 recommendations based on a seven-month study of the F-22's evolution - from conception and acquisition through current flight operations - which the Air Force can use to move forward.

Martin said the findings and recommendations fall into three main areas; the acquisition processes and policies, the organizational structure recommendations and equipment recommendations to not only protect the pilots and crew members today but also for the future.

"Some of the things we recommended give us a much better understating of the pilots' performance in those environments that we have not operated in before," Martin said. "It will further our understanding of the aviation physiology of operating in that environment."

Air Force leaders remain steadfast that the F-22 is a fully combat capable aircraft and they have every confidence in its current and future performance.

"Since September of last year we've flown over 10,000 sorties," said Maj. Gen. Charles Lyon, Air Combat Command Director of Operations. "We've had a 99.9 percent effective flying rate relative to physiological incidents, but that is not good enough. We will not rest; we will not stop; we will not end this journey we are on until we carry that 99 percent decimal point to the farthest right that we can."

The Air Force is well into the implementation phase of the recommendations from the SAB team and continues to aggressively pursue the root cause of these unexplained incidents, he said.

"Let there be no doubt that safety is paramount to the men and women who operate (the F-22) and the commander's who command them," Lyon said. "When we wear this uniform there is risk, there is risk inherent in aviation and risk inherently in conducting military operations.

Pilot safety has and always will remain a priority for ACC, Lyon added.

"We have taken a 9-1-1 call approach" Lyon said. "We have instructed and talked to our members in the field; whenever you get any indication that something may not be right, knock it off, the flying equivalent of calling 9-1-1 and terminate the flight. All eyes are focused on you and the safe recovery of your aircraft."

When a physiological event occurs, the pilot is met by a medical team to care for the pilot and take additional tests and send the tests to the lab, and so far nothing remarkable has come back from the lab tests we've analyzed, he said.

"When it comes to safety, no one second guesses the pilot," Lyon said.

The F-22 is a fifth generation fighter and one that is needed for the United States to establish air superiority in today's and tomorrow's conflict's, said Maj. Gen. Noel "Tom" Jones, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements.

"This aircraft is the world's most advanced aircraft and does air superiority mission unlike any other aircraft in the world," Jones said. "This is the leading edge of technology, and if our nation needs a capability to enter contested airspace to deal with air forces that are trying to deny our forces the ability to maneuver without prejudice on the ground; it will be the F-22 that takes on that mission."

Courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs Agency

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Virginia Air Guard receives new F-22 Raptor flagship

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

April 3, 2012 (by 192 FW) - Langley Air Force Base added a brand new F-22 Raptor to its inventory March 22, as the Virginia Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing took delivery of F-22 tail number 10-192 from Lockheed Martin.

Col. David R. Nardi, 192nd OG commander, lands the 192nd FW's new flagship F-22 at Langley AFB on March 22nd, 2012. The aircraft bears tail number 10-4192, which shares the namesake of the Virginia ANG unit.

The new Raptor will serve as the flagship for the 192nd FW, as it bears the unit's namesake on its tail flash.

Col. David Nardi, the 192nd Operations Group commander, picked up the aircraft at the Lockheed Martin factory in Marietta, Ga., and delivered the plane to Col. Thomas K. Wark, the 192nd FW commander, at Langley AFB, Va.

Upon delivery, Nardi reflected on both the strength of the total force partnership between the 192nd and the 1st FW, and the militia tradition of the Virginia National Guard.

"I appreciate the support we receive from our active duty partners, the 1st Fighter Wing, that makes the 192nd's wing flagship a reality," said Nardi. "Our total force partnership is second to none, and combines the best of the regular Air Force and the ANG.

"For our guardsmen, the 192nd's flagship is an important symbol which serves as a point of pride for our people, and represents the proud history of the 192nd Fighter Wing and the Virginia Air National Guard," he continued

Courtesy of 192nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

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Col. David R. Nardi, 192nd OG commander, taxis the 192nd FW's new flagship F-22 across the tarmac at Langley AFB on March 22nd, 2012. The aircraft bears tail number 10-4192, which shares the namesake of the Virginia ANG.

Holloman's ORE produces record number of F-22 launches

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

March 3, 2012 (by A1C Anthony M. Ward) - Members of Team Holloman participated in a Phase One Operational Readiness Exercise, which tested Holloman's ability to prepare and mobilize from peacetime to wartime at a moment's notice, February 27- 29.

USAF F-22A block 30 no. 05-4095 from the 7th FS taxis to the runway during a Phase One ORE on February 29th, 2012. The 49th Wing launched a total of 15 F-22s, setting a record high for generation during an exercise.

The ORE culminated in the launching of 15 F-22 Raptors, a record number for Holloman.

"The significance of any Phase One ORE is to ensure the base is going through its practices and procedures to ensure readiness if called upon to rapidly deploy anywhere around the world," said U.S. Air Force Maj. Max Vollkommer, 49th Wing chief of plans and inspections.

During the three-day exercise, Holloman's Airmen participated in various deployment taskings ranging from mobility bag processing to aircraft generation to test the base's real-world deployment readiness. Further testing Airmen, the base's external threat levels varied throughout the ORE, requiring adjustments to the local force protection conditions.

Though the ORE was intended to test the base's deployment readiness, Team Holloman is always prepared to answer the real-world call of duty.

"I think the Airmen are always ready to deploy," said Vollkommer. "It's just important to keep the practices and procedures on the forefront of their minds so that those skills don't atrophy to the point where the deploying Airmen are lost."

ORE evaluators examined command and control operations; deployment processing of personnel and cargo; aircraft generation, deployment and regeneration; information operations and other various areas within force protection.

Upon conclusion, the exercise was successful in proving Holloman's deployment competence.

"I'm really proud of the efforts everyone made in this exercise," said Col. David Krumm, 49th Wing commander. "People were safe, effective, and they got their jobs done. It's humbling to see, as the commander, that these guys know what they're doing, and it's a real joy to be a part of that."

Courtesy of 49th Wing Public Affairs

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USAF F-22A block 20 no. 04-4072 from the 8th FS taxis through the canyon during a Phase One Operational Readiness Exercise at Holloman AFB on February 29th, 2012.

USAF F-22A block 20 no. 04-4080 from the 7th FS takes flight during a training mission on February 16th, 2012 from Holloman AFB.