Exercise Northern Edge 06

OVER ALASKA -- An F-22A Raptor from the 27th Fighter Squadron, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia pulls away from a KC-135R Stratotanker from the 168th Air Refueling Wing, Alaska Air National Guard, on 9 June during exercise Northern Edge. Northern Edge 2006 is a joint training exercise hosted by Alaskan Command and is one of a series of U.S. Pacific Command exercises that prepare joint forces to respond to crises in the Asian Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt Joshua Strang)

1st Sortie

Major Charles "Corky" Corcoran, a 27th Fighter Squadron Fighter Pilot, prepares for his F-22A flight with the help of Staff Sgt. John Barr, a 27th AMU Crew Chief. The F-22A Raptor Stealth Fighter Jet made a historic flight from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia being its first generated sortie from Langley and piloted by a Langley based pilot. (US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. V. Levi Collins)

1st Sortie

Major Charles "Corky" Corcoran, a 27th Fighter Squadron Fighter Pilot, prepares for his F-22A flight. The F-22A Raptor Stealth Fighter Jet made a historic flight from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia being its first generated sortie from Langley and piloted by a Langley based pilot. (US Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. V. Levi Collins)

Raptors ready: F-22s prep for 1st deployment overseas

Published Jan. 11, 2007
By 1st Lt. Rachel Sherburne
1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) -- Twelve F-22A Raptors and more than 250 people from the 27th Fighter Squadron here are preparing for a deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan, in February.

While this will be the first overseas deployment for the Air Force's newest fighter, which was declared combat ready in December 2005, it is not the squadron's first deployment from Langley.

While deployed to Kadena, members of the 27th will showcase the capabilities of the Raptor as they train with Japan's air force, U.S. F-15s and the U.S. Navy.

This is part of continuing force posture adjustments to address worldwide requirements, and this deployment is another example of how the Air Force is meeting its ongoing commitments and security obligation by maintaining a flexible and credible presence.

"We're eager to assist U.S. Pacific Command, helping to ensure an environment of security and stability to support and foster freedom and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific Region," said Brig. Gen. Burt Field, 1st Fighter Wing commander. "This is what we train for, and we're ready."

In October 2005, the squadron deployed to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where F-22 pilots practiced their unique flight tactics and dropped inert Joint Directed Attack Munitions, or JDAMs.

The squadron deployed to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, when Langley's runway closed last May, where they underwent joint training while participating in Northern Edge 2006.

During this first operational exercise for the F-22, members of the 27th and more than 5,000 U.S. active duty and reserve component military members worked together, enhancing their ability to respond rapidly to any regional contingency.

"We had phenomenal successes during these deployments and exercises," said General Field. "We've taken the lessons we've learned and applied them back here, and we've continued to develop the weapons system every day."