First isle Guard F-22 Raptor fighter jet arrives at Hickam

Star Advertiser ^ | 7/4/2010 | William Cole

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

The Raptor has landed.

The first of 20 F-22 Raptor fighter jets that will be based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam touched down yesterday, bringing with it the start of a new chapter in Hawaii Air National Guard fighter history reaching back to 1946.

The Territory of Hawaii Air National Guard was established that year, a year ahead of the official creation of the U.S. Air Force, officials said.

Two of the stealthy fighters are expected to be in Hawaii for a dedication ceremony Friday. The aircraft, "tail" numbers 045 and 046, are about 7 years old and were receiving maintenance -- and "HH" (for Hickam) and Hawaii wave tail markings -- at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

The Air Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron will be the first Air Guard-led F-22 Raptor "associate" unit. The Guard will own the aircraft and receive assistance flying and maintaining the jets from the active-duty 15th Wing at Hickam.

"The arrival of the F-22s begins a new chapter in the already close relationship between the Guard and the active duty in Hawaii," Maj. Gen. Robert G.F. Lee, head of the Hawaii National Guard, said in a release. "We've partnered with the 15th Wing since 2006 flying and maintaining (C-17 cargo aircraft), except now in the case of the F-22s it will be a Guard asset."

Maj. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas, director of Pacific Air Forces operations, said the Raptor represents an "exponential leap in the war-fighting capabilities of U.S. forces in the Pacific."

"Basing the F-22 Raptor in Hawaii underscores America's commitment to the Pacific region and adds further air dominance capability to United States Pacific Command," Jouas said.

[FlyVet]

They've been overhead of my house a few times. The very sound of it, the shriek of the F-22, when the pilot gooses it, is other-worldly. It's a sound that says "Death to You."

And I have spent 30 years listening to the sound of F-15's and 16's overhead.

No comparison. You can hear the power. It's a bit unnerving.

[Venturer]

Dumb Question: Why do we need Stealth Fighters in Hawaii.

Who will they be hiding from?

[tanknetter]

Dumb Question: Why do we need Stealth Fighters in Hawaii.

in HI they're closer to the possible hot-spots in Asia, without being too close (Okinawa or Guam) to be either overtly threatening, or to have a high risk of being lost should war break out (easier to hit Guam or Okinawa with a short-notice strike than HI).

In HI they also have a shorter logistics tail back to the main CONUS bases (Langley and Holloman).

[Eric in the Ozarks]

There is also a large refueling wing at Honolulu, giving the ‘22s an even longer reach toward Asia.

[adorno]

They've been overhead of my house a few times. The very sound of it, the shriek of the F-22, when the pilot gooses it, is other-worldly.

I once thought about how cool it would be to have the "Blue Angels" flying the F22s in their air shows. But then I realized that it would be just a show of airplane noises since nobody would be able to see them. ;-)

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Hickam AFB is the “bridge across the Pacific” supporting Japan and Pacific forces through its history. It is also home of the 199th Fighter Squadron.The 199th is tasked with augmenting the active duty U.S. Air Force with air superiority fighters during war or other contingencies.Lastly, Hickam’s historic role during World War II.Dominating the area is a large bronze tablet engraved with the names of those who died as a result of the December 7 1941 attack. Other reminders of the attack can be seen at Hickam today, including the tattered American flag that flew over the base that morning,