Holloman 'preferred' new home for F-22A

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Russell Wicke
  • Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va., (ACCNS) --  The Air Force announced March 1 Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., is a preferred alternative location for an operational bed down of the F-22A Raptor.

“The announcement of Holloman as a preferred location for bed down of an operational F-22A unit makes sense,” said Gen. Ron Keys, Air Combat Command commander. “This is a clear acknowledgement of the outstanding flying weather, ranges, facilities and community support the base enjoys.”

If the Raptor is sent to Holloman, it will be part of the 49th Fighter Wing, the host base unit. It will also be second in ACC to stand up an operational F-22A unit. The 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., is the first.

But the ACC commander also sounded a cautionary note when discussing the announcement.

“The environmental analysis must be completed before a final decision can be made,” said General Keys. “There is much work to be done and we don’t want to get ahead of the required processes. This is good news but it is preliminary at this stage.”

In addition to Holloman, the Air Force also announced Hickam AFB, Hawaii, as a preferred operational bed down for the Raptor, joining Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, as a potential location for future operational F-22A units in Pacific Air Forces.

The proposed plan calls for active and National Guard members to work on the F-22A together at both Holloman and Hickam, as they are at Langley. The Air Force Reserve Command will be part of the Raptor team at Elmendorf. This move gives the Air Force the best possible Total Force team to deliver sovereign options for the defense of the United States and the Global War on Terrorism.

The Air Force is slated to receive 183 of the F-22As with production extending through 2012. Right now, the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley is the only operational unit.

Bases that have the F-22A for testing, tactics development and training purposes include Nellis, Tyndall and Edwards Air Force Bases.

Currently, Holloman is home to the F-117A Nighthawk, one of the first aircraft developed with stealth technology. Other aircraft at the base are T-38 Talons and Tornados, German air force fighters.

The F-15 Eagle, F-4 Phantom and F-100 Super Sabre are just a few of the other aircraft previously assigned to Holloman. The base was originally established in 1942. It covers almost 60,000 acres and is home to approximately 4,500 Airmen and nearly 2,000 Air Force civilians.

The 49th FW mission includes deploying combat-ready and mission support forces through Air and Space Expeditionary Force operations and the Global War on Terrorism. The fighter wing also trains pilots for the F-117A and incorporates the T-38 in the training. The F-117 is slated for retirement by 2008.

Information about the F-22A can be found at: http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=199. Information about Holloman and Hickam Air Force Bases can be found at: http://www.holloman.af.mil/ and http://www2.hickam.af.mil/ respectively.