Posted on 12/12/2007 6:31:16 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
F-22 Raptors here reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) December 12, according to Gen. John D.W. Corley, the commander of Air Combat Command.
The announcement offically makes Langley's F-22 squadrons combat ready.
FOC for the F-22 means the aircraft are now ready for global engagement, said Lt. Col. Mark Hansen, the Air Combat Command F-22 integration officer.
"Crews are now (fully) organized, trained, equipped and ready for the joint fight," he said.
Since the F-22s reached initial operational capability two years ago, the 1st Fighter Wing and the Air National Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing have dedicated time and resources into finding how to best use and maintain the world's most advanced fighter. The fighter has deployed and trained across the world to define and refine its capabilities and tactics.
The 1st FW has been training for the wartime mission since the F-22 went IOC, said Brig. Gen. Mark A. Barrett, the 1st FW commander. Langley AFB's F-22s were declared IOC in December 2005, making them capable of some combat operations such as homeland defense.
"We are available to be tasked at any time, to do whatever our nation requires," General Barrett said. The 1st and 192nd Fighter Wings will continue to baseline the F-22 so the rest of the fleet can learn from their experience, he said.
Even though the F-22 has reached FOC, Airmen at Langley AFB will continue training to get better every day, said Col. Jay Pearsall, the 192nd FW commander.
"There's no change in training," he said. "Everybody is working hard, and we're ready to go to war, (on) deployments or on exercises."
The F-22's unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness, combined with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities, gives the airframe numerous advantages over any potential adversary.
This Thread Is Worthless Without Pics ;)
Pinkos and peaceniks are disappointed.
(You weren't specific)
You know, this is not a pretty plane. I must be getting old!
Plus, the "league' will fine you a $50 donation to FR.
Plus, Jim Rob has been notified...
5.56mm
Stayed at Langley this summer and got to watch them flying. Just amazing. FYI Langley has a great display of older aircraft as well.
Drove south toward Langley. All of a sudden...Stop...Road Closed. Then you saw all the beautiful little birds flying. Very impressive.
Thank you for my new desktop background.
I used to work in the Hampton and Newport News area. I have been on Langley several times. I always thought it was one of the most attractive military bases. Sort of had the look of a college campus.
I will say I was once talking to an F-15 pilot from Eglin. He mentioned that the first fighter wing was known in the air force as the “worst fighter wing”. He said the Eglin squadron shot down all the MIGs and the First Fighter squadron got all the interviews.
How many F22s do we have? I thought there were only a handfull.
LOL!
F-22A Raptor
Primary function: Multi-role fighter. Speed: 1,500 mph. Dimensions:Wingspan 32 ft. 8 in.; length 62 ft. 1 in.; height 16 ft. 8 in. Range:1,850 miles, without external tanks, more than 1,250 miles. Armament: 20 mm multi-barrel Gatling gun, AIM-120C AMRAAM, AIM-9, GBU-32. Crew:One. Inventory: 72. (Approximately two aircraft per month delivered through 2011).
http://www.af.mil/news/airman/0307/aircraft03.shtml
March 2007 IRRC
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