U.S. Sir Force DFifth Generation Fighter: The F22A Raptor Requirements Retreat

Heritage Foundation ^ | July 13, 2009 | Maclenzie Eaglen and Eric Sayers

[myknowledge]

Yes, the Raptor would be the best fighter for Australia. My home country, and island continent, would want to depend on it.

http://www.ausairpower.net/raptor.html

[myknowledge]

http://www.ausairpower.net/raptor.html

IIRC, it was 1976 when the Eagle entered service with the USAF, and the 555th TFS ‘Triple Nickel’ (TAC was in existence at that time) was the first Eagle-equipped squadron (it currently flies Vipers and is based at Aviano AB, Italy, under USAFE).

Click on the link above and read the article. It’s highly informative.

[myknowledge]

You’re 100% right, in my opinion.

And along with these articles from Air Power Australia

http://www.ausairpower.net/APA-NOTAM-150208-1.html

http://www.ausairpower.net/jsf.html

[mbynack]

IIRC, it was 1976 when the Eagle entered service with the USAF, and the 555th TFS ‘Triple Nickel’ (TAC was in existence at that time) was the first Eagle-equipped squadron (it currently flies Vipers and is based at Aviano AB, Italy, under USAFE).

It officially entered service in '76, but the test and evaluation was being done at Luke AFB as early as '74. A friend and former co-worker was on the T&E Team at Luke. The year stuck in my head because the F-15 and I entered service the same year.