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F-22s arrive in Okinawa
February 18, 2007 (by
Asif Shamim) -
Finally after much delay two F-22s of 1st FW wing arrive over the skies of the Southern Japanese island of Okinawa on Saturday. Eight more arrived on Sunday after flying in from Hawaii.
The fighters' arrival had been delayed by seven days due to bad weather and some problem with the navigation system software. Military spokesman also denied the delay was due to six-country talks regarding North Koreas nuclear arms program which ended last Tuesday with an energy-for-arms deal.
Ten F-22s were expected to reach Kadena airforce base today, but only 8 have arrived. Airforce officials have said two of the advanced jets have diverted to Wake Island due to trouble with there generators.
The deployment which is planned for between 3-4 months is part of "the flexibility that U.S. forces have to meet our ongoing commitments and security obligations throughout the Pacific," U.S. military official said in a statement.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of the U.S. forces in Japan stated "it is important for the F-22 pilots from Langley to get the experience of flying abroad and training with the Japanese".
However he went onto say there were no plans to regularly deploy to Japan after the current deployment ends. F-22s are to be based in Alaska and possibly Hawaii, which would give a significant boost to the Air Force's fire power in the Pacific.
Two F-22 Raptors taxi after landing at Kadena AFB, marking the aircraft's first overseas deployment on 17th February, 2007
Ten F-22s were expected to reach Kadena airforce base today, but only 8 have arrived. Airforce officials have said two of the advanced jets have diverted to Wake Island due to trouble with there generators.
The deployment which is planned for between 3-4 months is part of "the flexibility that U.S. forces have to meet our ongoing commitments and security obligations throughout the Pacific," U.S. military official said in a statement.
Lt. Gen. Bruce Wright, commander of the U.S. forces in Japan stated "it is important for the F-22 pilots from Langley to get the experience of flying abroad and training with the Japanese".
However he went onto say there were no plans to regularly deploy to Japan after the current deployment ends. F-22s are to be based in Alaska and possibly Hawaii, which would give a significant boost to the Air Force's fire power in the Pacific.
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Additional images:
F-22A Raptor #04-4066 lands at Kadena AFB, marking the aircraft's first overseas deployment. The jet is one of 12 along with more than 250 Airmen deployed from Langley AFB, to Kadena as part of an air expeditionary force rotation on 18 February, 2007. [USAF photo by A1C Kelly Timney]
Crew chiefs park two F-22 Raptors after landing at Kadena AFB marking the aircraft's first overseas deployment. Twelve Raptors along with more than 250 Airmen are deployed from Langley AFB, to Kadena as part of an air expeditionary force rotation on 18 February, 2007. [USAF photo by Airman Sheila deVera]
An F-22 Raptor lands at Kadena AFB, marking the aircraft's first overseas deployment. The jet is one of 12 along with more than 250 Airmen deployed from Langley AFB, to Kadena as part of an air expeditionary force rotation on 18 February, 2007. [USAF photo by A1C Kelly Timney]