F-22s complete Middle East exercise

Multi-National Force-Iraq ^ | taff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, USAF

[SandRat]

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors fly in formation during a training mission in southwest Asia, Dec. 6, 2009. The F-22 fighters and crews are deployed from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., and entered the Air Forces Central area of responsibility for the first time as part of a multi-national exercise where aircrews from France, Jordan, Pakistan, the U.A.E., the U.K. and the U.S. trained together in fighting a large-scale air war. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller.

SOUTHWEST ASIA — U.S. Airmen here marked a milestone recently, completing the first deployment of F-22A Raptors to the Middle East.

The fifth-generation fighters and their crews were in the area as part of an exercise, a multi-national event where pilots from a variety of nations train together in fighting a large-scale air war.

As the first deployment to the Air Forces Central area of responsibility, expectations were high for the 150 Airmen deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va., and the six Raptors they operated.

"We didn't know how the jet was going to perform or react, given the temperature differences as well as the dust, sand and wind," said Lt. Col. Lance Pilch, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander. "But we were able to fly more sorties than we scheduled for, so the F-22 actually exceeded expectations."

The F-22 had previously deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Andersen Air Base, Guam, for exercises in the Pacific.

"This was historic because it's a new weapon system and although we had shown we can deploy to other places, we hadn't proven we could operate here," said Maj. Daniel Bunts, a member of the Virginia Air National Guard who flies Raptors with the 27th FS.

In addition to the U.S., exercise participants included aircrews from France, Jordan, Pakistan, the U.A.E., and the U.K.

Although the Raptors weren't participating directly in the exercise, they flew alongside crews from the participating nations in training sorties.

"Now that we've done some training together, they have a better understanding of what we can do with this jet, so if we ever need to partner together, they know what they can expect from us as their wingmen," Bunts said. "But it's also important for us to put a face to the weapon system for our partners. We've made great friends out here."

Building partnerships is largely what exercises like this are all about. But now that the F-22 has proven capable in the environment here, the crews hope to return to participate in more exercises, and even provide air power in the region, said Pilch.

"The F-22 has so many capabilities, from overall air dominance to relaying situational awareness to putting bombs on target," Pilch said. "So when it becomes our turn to come here and support the troops on the ground, now we know: the Raptor is ready."

(By Staff Sgt. J.G. Buzanowski, U.S. Air Forces Central Public Affairs

[SandRat]

FR WAR NEWS!
If you would like to be added to / removed from FRWN,
please FReepmail Sandrat.

WARNING: FRWN can be an EXTREMELY HIGH-VOLUME PING LIST!!

[tet68]

Looks like an artist’s rendition to me, NOT a photo.

[ASA Vet]

Probably because it’s an artist’s rendition, not a photo.

[The Great RJ]

Here is the real thing. A photo I took at an air show this summer.

[SunTzuWu]

I think it’s a photo. The pic’s properties say; “Air Force photo by; SSGT Michael B. Keller”

[ASA Vet]

I’ve taken photos of paintings too.

[ASA Vet]

The credits on many of SSGT Michael Keller's photos lists him as "artist." Software listed is Adobe photoshop.

[SunTzuWu]

Thanks. I didn’t see the software credited. Even blown up the detail is impressive.

[ComCamPhotog]

it’s a photograph taken with a Nikon D3 with a Nikon 70-200mm lens at 70mm out the back of a KC-10 over the United Arab Emirates, you can trust me on this one. it’s not an artist’s rendition or a photo of a painting, although my wife would have loved me only taking 30 minutes in our living room doing some photo copy work of art instead of the 6 months I spent deployed traveling between Iraq, Afghanistan, and UAE. if you would like some more examples of my work just google photo by Staff Sgt. Michael B. Keller or you can search for keller on the defense imagery site at http://www.defenseimagery.mil/about/dimoc.html i have quite a few more images from this exercise in UAE of the F-22’s, airdrop stuff, some ground stuff in iraq and afghanistan, lot’s of air refueling over afghanistan, and some other various images.

[Lazamataz]

Good work. Welcome home to Free Republic. Enjoy!

[tet68]

Sgt. I apologize, I’m certainly no expert on photoshopping.
Great picture, and please accept my thanks for serving
your fellow servicemen and your country.

Tet68 USMC RVN.

[tet68]

OH, welcome to Freerepublic I hope you like it
here, we have people from all walks of life who
bring a vast wealth of skill, knowledge and experience
to the betterment of everyone.
If you ever need to know any thing about blacksmithing
I can tell you, was a smith for over thirty years.
t.

[ComCamPhotog]

no problems! reading over my reply it was a little unfriendly i think, which is not at all how i meant it, i just wanted to spread the word of the air force combat camera program and glad people like the pic, and hey i should feel good about being mistaken for an awesome painter instead of a mediocre photographer right, lol ;) and the discussion got me searching other posts on this site, so all is good, keep up the good work of spreading these military related stories!