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F-22 Raptors arrive at Andersen AFB

July 20, 2008 (by Joachim Jacob) - Five F-22A Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, arrived at Andersen AFB, Guam, on July 20, 2008.

F-22A block 30 no. 05-4090 from the 90th FS lands at Andersen AFB, Guam, on July 20, 2008. The aircraft is deployed with the 90th EFS to participate in the Jungle Shield exercise and conduct Cope Thaw training.

The stealth-fighters, along with associated maintenance and support personnel, are deployed as 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron to participate in the Jungle Shield exercise and conduct Cope Thaw training. The 90th EFS is lead by Lt. Col. Mike “Dozer” Shower, 90th FS commander.

According to a 13th Air Force news article from July 17, 2008, six F-22As from the 90th FS were set to deploy to Andersen AFB from July 18 to August 2, 2008. But at the moment, it´s not clear what happened with the sixth jet.

As reported by 13th Air Force and 3rd Wing PA, Jungle Shield will exercise 13th Air Force's air defense mission in Guam and validate the area air defense commander's ability to command and control such missions from the 613th Air and Space Operations Center there. Following the exercise, the F-22A personnel will take part in Cope Thaw, one in a series of regularly occurring training events in which aircraft and personnel have an opportunity to conduct training in environments different from those at their home station.

This is the first deployment of PACAF Raptors. It also marks the second deployment of the F-22A to the Pacific theater. In February 2007, F-22As and personnel from the 27th FS at Langley AFB, Virginia, deployed to Kadena AB, Japan.

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 389th FS and B-52H Stratofortresses from the 96th EBS and their aircrews already deployed to Andersen will also participate in Jungle Shield. Other participants include 13th AF and 613th AOC personnel from Hickam and 36th Wing personnel assigned to Andersen.

The United States routinely evaluates readiness and repositions forces as needed to ensure capabilities necessary to meet obligations in the Asia-Pacific region. These deployments demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to fulfill security responsibilities throughout the Western Pacific and to maintain peace in the region.


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Additional images:

USAF F-22A from the 90th FS lands at Andersen AFB, Guam on July 20th, 2008. The aircraft is deployed with the 90th EFS to participate in the Jungle Shield exercise and conduct Cope Thaw training. [USAF photo by A1C. Nichelle Griffiths]

Two F-22As from the 90th FS fly high above Andersen AFB, Guam on July 20th, 2008. The aircraft are deployed with the 90th EFS to participate in the Jungle Shield exercise and conduct Cope Thaw training. [USAF photo by A1C. Courtney Witt]