F-22 begins deployment to Japan

<a href="news_article2170.html">F-22 begins first overseas deployment</a>

They flew out this morning! Credit USAF for photo's....Check

The first of 12 F-22 Raptors lands for a brief layover Feb. 7 at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th FS at Langley AFB, Virginia, are bound for Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircaft's first overseas operational deployment. Seen here is Raptor #03-4049. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

The first of 12 F-22 Raptors lands for a brief layover Feb. 7 at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Photographed here landing is F-22A #03-4049. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

A crew chief waits to marshal F-22A Raptor #03-4051 to its parking spot Feb. 7 at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th FS at Langley AFB, Virginia., are bound for Kadena AB, Japan, for the aircraft's first overseas operational deployment. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

Two crew chiefs watch as F-22A Raptor #03-4048 taxis to its parking spot February 7 at Hickam AAFB, Hawaii. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

A crew chief marshals F-22A Raptor #04-4065 to its parking spot February 7 at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

A crew chief talks to the pilot after parking February 7th at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. This F-22 #04-4065, and other F-22s, and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th FS at Langley AFB, Virginia, are bound for Kadena AB, Japan, for the aircraft's first overseas operational deployment. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

A crew chief talks to pilots after they landing February 7 at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. This F-22 Raptor #03-4061 has wing markings on the tail. [USAF photo by TSgt Shane A. Cuomo]

<a href="http://www.af.mil/news/story_media.asp?storyID=123040309">hi-res versions</a>

They flew out this morning! Credit USAF for photo's....Check

Hey, great pics! Thanks!

Three items of note: interesting to see how relatively far back the Raptor carries its external stores, which means its CG is therefore farther back than in most planes, coupled with flight control surfaces that are, again, set very far back as well. Not that we didn't already know this, but all of this makes for an inherently extremely maneuverable plane.

Secondly, where are they stopping? Are they flying non-stop from California to Hawaii and then on to Japan or are they routing through Alaska and then South Korea (and maybe doing a little fly-by of North Korea)?

Finally, interesting to see that they are only carrying two tanks when supposedly they can carry up to four, considering how long the trip will be. While I have seen the four-tank configuration in static test of the wing component, I have never seen it flown. Has it been flown at all in testing, let alone operationally?

Local civic leaders get a closer look at F-22A #03-4061 at Hickham AFB Hawaii February 8, 2007, while on its way to Kadena AB, Japan. The 27th FS, Langley AFB, Virginia are deploying 12 F-22s and more than 250 personnel overseas for the first time to Japan. [USAF photo by Vanessa Perez]

Some "more exotic" pics were released by PACAF:
http://www.pacaf.af.mil/news/story_medi ... =123040513

And on <a href="http://www.pacaf.af.mil/library/pacificf-22/index.asp">PACAF's public website</a> there's also a nice video clip "See the F-22s landing at Hickam AFB!"

Yup . Cool to see it with tanks on.

Hey... did I ever tell you guys the first time I got a 10mm lens?

Its interesting to note that while the F-22 is undoubtedly the faster plane, it is the F-35's external tanks that appears to have been prominently area ruled for supersonic drag reduction.

Hey whoever cleaned up my post, added the text and linked hi-res versions....Thankyou! I'm still trying to figure out the whole picture thing...again, thanks. Also, I've never seen the four tank config even in static test, got any pics? I've seen and got pics of the external AMRAAM's on the outboards but not the tanks...

Check

Secondly, where are they stopping? Are they flying non-stop from California to Hawaii and then on to Japan or are they routing through Alaska and then South Korea (and maybe doing a little fly-by of North Korea)?

I believe they are flying direct Kadena and will be 'dragged' the rest of the way. I believe they flew non-stop from Langley to Hawaii. They won't be going through Alaska as that would be backtracking from Hawaii and put them even farther away from the destination...Check

The distance between Honolulu (Hawaii) and Naha (Okinawa) is 7,505km. The F-22 probably goes about 2,800km one-way on internal fuel (roughly 3x its estimated combat radius). Those external tanks are not going to extend it by more than 2.6x. Unless they refuel mid-air, they are going to have to stop somewhere.

Hawaii to Tokyo is actually closer... ~6200km. But I don't think the F-22 can fly that distance with a pair of external tanks either.

I thought I covered this above...yup I did...they're getting dragged across, prob. by way of Guam I would guess...Check

A 1st FW PA news article "Raptors released for first real-world deployment" (released February 8, 2007) states:

Twelve Raptors left their nest Feb. 7 for a 22-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean - the final phase of the F-22A's first real-world deployment.

Along with the Air Force's newest weapon system, more than 250 Airmen left Feb.6, as part of the regularly scheduled Air Expeditionary Force deployment, which has been planned since the Raptor achieved initial operational capability in December 2005.

While deployed, pilots and maintainers will work with other Air Force and Navy squadrons from the Pacific region.

"We learn more about what we can bring to the fight by working with other squadrons and branches," Colonel Tolliver said.

While deployed, the 27th FS plans to maintain a standard flying schedule much like their schedule here. The goal for pilots and maintainers is to make this transition from home to overseas as seamless as possible.

"We're going to keep our normal lives and shifts like we do back home," said Staff Sgt. John Laurence, a 27th S [They mean 27th FS - J.J.] crew chief. "The only difference is we're on the other side of the world."

In Japan, the 27th FS will fall under Kadena AB's 18th Wing, and will use their hangars and support throughout the 120-day temporary duty assignment. Along with the Raptors and personnel, the 27th FS will also bring two-thirds of the equipment needed to maintain the jets from Langley.

The F-22A currently takes the same amount of personnel and equipment needed for an F-15 TDY. However, as the plane becomes older and Airmen gain experience working on the plane, manning demands will decrease, allowing fewer Airmen to spend less time on maintenance. [...]

Full story:
http://www.langley.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123040473

Thanks for posting that J.J....was there something you were trying to point out or just linking the story? Or did I miss something in the article?

The distance between Honolulu (Hawaii) and Naha (Okinawa) is 7,505km. The F-22 probably goes about 2,800km one-way on internal fuel (roughly 3x its estimated combat radius). Those external tanks are not going to extend it by more than 2.6x. Unless they refuel mid-air, they are going to have to stop somewhere.

Hawaii to Tokyo is actually closer... ~6200km. But I don't think the F-22 can fly that distance with a pair of external tanks either.

Makes you wonder why they didn't do four tanks.

Not sure either...Dozer said on fencecheck that no-one but the flight test guys have flown with the four tank config. as of yet, but it would make sense in this case...Check

The Associated Press wrote that there has been some anti-American protest in Japan. About 500 demonstrators gathered outside a US air base protesting the arrival of the F-22s.

Police say the protest was peaceful. No arrests were reported.

The Raptors were scheduled to arrive Saturday at Kadena but were delayed by bad weather. They should arrive Sunday.

The Associated Press wrote that there has been some anti-American protest in Japan. About 500 demonstrators gathered outside a US air base protesting the arrival of the F-22s.

Police say the protest was peaceful. No arrests were reported.

The Raptors were scheduled to arrive Saturday at Kadena but were delayed by bad weather. They should arrive Sunday.

Protests are an everyday occurence on the island there. They were always protesting something having to do with the American presence there.