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American pilots at an Alaskan military base have reported a sudden spike of incidents in which they experienced an apparent lack of oxygen while flying the nation's most sophisticated fighter jets -- a mysterious, recurring problem that already caused the $77.4 billion fighter jet fleet to sit idle on the tarmac for months last year. In at least three incidents in the last two weeks, pilots of the $143 million-a-pop stealth F-22 Raptors at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson reported the "hypoxia-like" symptoms, leading the base to ground their F-22s for a day for "review," Air Force spokesperson Lt. Col. Regina Winchester...

The F-22 is expected to star at Avalon. "This is a special aircraft and we have been trying to get it to Avalon for many years," Airshow CEO Ian Honnery said. "It is really exciting that at long last we will be able to host for the Australian public to see for the first time." The F-22 on display at Avalon is expected to come from the Elmendorf,Alaska based F-22 currently deployed to Kadena,Japan. "avalon 2011 will be the largest show we have put on to date, with so many aircraft being exhibited, thatwe have had to extend our aircraft...

Reservists assigned to the 477th Fighter Group deployed this week to support the U.S. Pacific Command commander's Theater Security Package program in the Western Pacific. The 20 maintainers and eight pilots along with the 3rd Wing's 525th Fighter Squadron will be deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan for three months. "The 477th Fighter Group reservists operate and maintain 3rd Wing aircraft under the Classic Associate Unit Construct, integrating with the 525th Fighter Squadron and 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit," said Air Force Lt. Col. David Piffarerio, 302nd Fighter Squadron commander. "During normal training there is seamless integration with the active-duty squadrons,...

Pilot error is the US Air Force's official cause for the first fatal crash of a Boeing C-17, but the service's investigation report has also exposed lax oversight of an over-aggressive flier who was allowed to repeatedly perform an unsafe airshow routine. The crash report - released by the Pacific Air Forces Command on 13 December - also echoes the findings of a 16-year-old Boeing B-52 crash that ranks as one of the darkest chapters in USAF history and sparked a movement to reform the service's management and safety culture. Aviation safety experts have already seized on the new report...

The Air Force has identified the pilot missing after the Alaska crash of an F-22 Raptor jet as Capt. Jeffrey Haney. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson spokeswoman Corinna Jones said Thursday that Haney is from Jackson, Mich. He's assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron. His single-seat F-22 took off Tuesday from the Anchorage base for a nighttime training run. The aircraft and a second F-22 were nearing completion of their mission when one jet disappeared from ground radar tracking Tuesday evening. Searchers found the crash site Wednesday about 100 miles north of Anchorage. Rescue teams continue to search the area, looking for...

Search and rescue teams have identified the location of the latest loss of a U.S. Air Force F-22, this one crashing during a nighttime training mission while operating from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The F-22 lost contact with air traffic control around 7:40 p.m. local time on Nov. 16. The crash site was found 100 mi. north of Anchorage, the USAF says. The aircraft was part of a two-ship formation, “Rocky One” and “Rocky Three.” The mishap flight was “Rocky Three” with “Rocky One” unable to locate the crashed aircraft. The crash site was discovered around 10:15 a.m. local time...

Jeffrey Judge of Eagle River has a Sarah Palin superfan in the family: his father. "He took down the family pictures and put her on the wall," said Tammy, Judge's wife. "So now when you go over there, she's like, staring at you," his daughter added.

When President Obama spoke to troops at Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base last month, the unit there parked a shiny new F-22 fighter plane in the hangar. But according to multiple sources, White House aides demanded the plane be changed to an older F-15 fighter because they didn't want Obama speaking in front of the F-22, a controversial program he fought hard to end. "White House aides actually made them remove the F-22-said they would not allow POTUS to be pictured with the F-22 in any way, shape, or form," one source close to the unit relayed. Stephen Lee, a...

GUAM - Despite taking some time to adjust to a totally different climate that challenged them to work extra hard to do their best and challenged maintainers to keep aircraft operational, deployed airmen from Alaska's Elmendorf Air Force Base and their fleet of $140 million F-22 Raptors performed above and beyond expectation with their 36th Wing counterparts stationed at Andersen Air Force Base. As Guam News Factor reported on October 5, heavy rains on Guam caused electronics problems on the visiting Raptors during their temporary basing on island. The Air Force Times had reported that crews at Elmendorf Air Force...

6/23/2009 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin made a surprise visit to Sailors and personnel onboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) on Monday during the military joint-training exercise Northern Edge 2009. The invitation came as a surprise for the governor, who jumped at the opportunity to visit U.S. service members and learn more about U.S. Navy operations. "This is such an honor to be here," Palin said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for my husband Todd and I to see an aircraft carrier in action, and see what its...

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska, March 16, 2009 – Air Force Airman Derrick Bell has found that a lot of determination and a little help from his friends helped him meet his goal of returning to military service when it seemed that both his age and weight might have prevented it. Air Force Airman Derrick Bell, left, after he lost 115 pounds to join the Air Force Reserve’s 477th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. On right, before he spent 11 months to reaching his goal. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The 38-year-old...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Elmendorf's commander will be honored later this week in a memorial service on base. Brig. Gen. Thomas Tinsley was found dead in his home Sunday night. Tinsley died of what appears to be a self inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, according to Air Force officials. They say no note was found. Representatives of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology will make a final ruling on the cause of death. A memorial service for the brigadier general will be held 2 p.m. Thursday at hangar one. The service will be open to the public.

The commander of the Third Wing at Elmendorf Air Force died of a gunshot wound in his on-base residence Sunday night, the Air Force said this morning. Few details are being released, but an Air Force spokesman said there was no indication of foul play.

5/24/2006 - -- An F-22 Raptor lands at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., are supporting Exercise Northern Edge 2006. The Air Force selected Elmendorf as the home for the next operational F-22 squadron. The base will receive 36 Raptors, with the first jet expected in fall 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown)

11/15/2005 - ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) -- President George Bush stopped here on the first leg of his week-long Asia tour and thanked servicemembers and civilians for volunteering to serve and continuing the fight the global war on terrorism. It was the president’s second visit here. He spoke for nearly 45 minutes with more than 4,500 servicemembers and civilian workersfrom all the services . Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Ferguson was one the nearly 3,500 military members at the event. The Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment troop from Fort Richardson, Alaska, was excited to see the...

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (Reuters) - President George W. Bush on Monday sought to counter Democratic critics of the Iraq war by turning their own past words of warning about Saddam Hussein against them. "Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war -- but it is irresponsible for Democrats to now claim that we misled them and the American people," Bush said in a campaign-style speech accusing Democrats of playing politics with the issue and trying to rewrite the past. He spoke to U.S. troops in an air base hangar in Alaska, a refueling spot for Air...

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Thanks for the warm welcome. (Applause.) Laura and I were in the neighborhood - (laughter) -- we thought we'd come by to say hello to the nation's "Arctic Warriors." (Applause.) We're proud to stand with the courageous airmen of Elmendorf Air Force Base, the soldiers of Fort Richardson, the Coast Guard -- (applause) -- the Coast Guard men and women here in Alaska -- (applause) -- the men and women of the Alaskan Command, and all those who wear the uniform of our country. (Applause.) The General is right about one thing -- (laughter) --...

The RNC has just e-mailed an advance copy of the remarks President Bush will deliver this evening at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. Here's a key excerpt: Reasonable people can disagree about the conduct of the war –­ but it is irresponsible for Democrats to now claim that we misled them and the American people. Leaders in my Administration and members of Congress from both parties looked at the same intelligence on Iraq –­ and reached the conclusion that Saddam Hussein was a threat. Let me give you quotes from three senior Democrats: First, quote, “There is unmistakable...