Fifth-Generation Fighters, Crews Part Of A Multinational
Exercise
Airmen completed the first deployment of F-22 Raptors to the
Middle East in mid-December. The fifth-generation fighters and
their crews were in the area as part of a multinational exercise
where pilots from a variety of nations train together in fighting a
large-scale air war.
This was the first deployment to the U.S. Air Forces Central
area of responsibility for the 150 Airmen deployed from Langley Air
Force Base, VA, and the six F-22s they operated. "We didn't know
how the jet was going to perform or react, given the temperature
differences as well as the dust, sand and wind," said Lt. Col.
Lance Pilch, the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander.
"But we were able to fly more sorties than we scheduled for, so the
F-22 actually exceeded expectations."
The F-22 previously deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, and
Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, for exercises in the Pacific. "This
was historic because it's a new weapon system, and although we had
shown we can deploy to other places, we hadn't proven we could
operate here," said Maj. Daniel Bunts, a member of the Virginia Air
National Guard who flies F-22s with the 27th Fighter Squadron.
In addition to the U.S., exercise participants included aircrews
from France, Jordan, Pakistan and England. Although the F-22s
weren't participating directly in the exercise, they flew alongside
crews from the participating nations in training sorties. "Now that
we've done some training together, they have a better understanding
of what we can do with this jet, so if we ever need to partner
together, they know what they can expect from us as their wingmen,"
Major Bunts said. "But it's also important for us to put a face to
the weapon system for our partners. We've made great friends out
here."
Building partnerships is largely what exercises like this are
all about. But now that the F-22 has proven capable in the
environment here, the crews hope to return to participate in more
exercises, and even provide airpower in the region, Colonel Pilch
said. "The F-22 has so many capabilities, from overall air
dominance to relaying situational awareness to putting bombs on
target," Colonel Pilch said. "So when it becomes our turn to come
here and support the troops on the ground, now we know: the Raptor
is ready."