Aviation Specials — F-22 Raptor (2017)

things that are very import. First is to send

a very clear message to our European

allies that we are committed to peace and

security here and we will bring our most

capable asset in the F-22 here. The second

is to train alongside our American airmen

that are here at the USAF unit, our joint

partners and our NATO allies. Lastly, it’s to

validate our thinking in how we operate

this airplane.’

Speaking to reporters on September

3, Lt Gen Ray played down the obvious

questions about the reasons for

deployment and the link to Russian

involvement in Ukraine, and increased

Russian Air Force activity in the Baltic

region. The emphasis on this deployment

was training and interoperability. ‘Our

ability to react, our fortitude to support

our NATO allies, and our ability to deliver

its Syrian debut. Four F-22s from the 95th

Fighter Squadron ‘Boneheads’ arrived at

Spangdahlem, Germany, from their home

at Tyndall AFB, Florida, on August 28.

Led by Lt Col Daniel Lehoski, the

95th FS commander, this deployment

came following a number of hints that

Raptors may be sent to Europe as part

of the Theater Security Package (TSP)

detachment cycle, amid the increased

Russian military activity in the region.

The Raptors were supported by a C-17A

Globemaster III and approximately 60

airmen and deployed as a Rapid Raptor

package with a standard team designed to

enable the deployment of the F-22 to any

theatre, globally, within 24 hours. Upon the

Raptor’s arrival at Spangdahlem, Gen Frank

Gorenc, USAF Europe and Air Forces Africa

commander at the time commented: ‘This

inaugural Raptor training deployment

is the perfect opportunity for these

advanced aircraft to train alongside other

US Air Force aircraft, joint partners, and

NATO allies.’

Lt Gen Timothy Ray of the 3rd AF added:

‘Today we open a new a chapter of air

power in Europe. With this deployment

of the F-22 to Spangdahlem we do three

Right: High

above Iraq in the

tanker track, a

Raptor is framed

by the KC‑135R

boomer’s

window. USAF/

SSgt Michael

Battles

Below: Even

while in close

formation on

the tanker, the

F‑22 pilot will be

tracking mission

developments

and working the

sensors. USAF/

SSgt Trevor T.

McBride

RAPTOR^89

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