[Steely eyed killer of the deep]

I totally agree, parts (and I have proof) if not the setup/staging of this picture is photoshopped! Why do we taxpayers pay for this?

[Hulka]

What ‘proof?”

I've been in flights like that many times. Not unusual nor hard to fly like that.

Those are fun flights though not challenging at all.

Maybe air-brushing the paint job, but as far as the actual flight goes, been there, done that.

We do this for the same reasons we have airshows-—to show taxpayers what we have and what we can do with it.

[mad_as_he$$]

You folks really need to go to an airshow where a Raptor is doing a routine. It will bring a tear to your eye. That is one awesome machine. Believe it or not it can hover standing straight up. Turns that will make your head spin and acceleration that is incredible.

BTW I live near the Navy's Top Gun school at NAS Fallon. We see Super Bugs out on runs all the time. An F-18 is nowhere near an F-22 in performance and I see them go vertical all the time. Well out of sight even with optics.