First F-22 Raptors arrive at Kadena
The first two F-22 Raptors, similar to this one, arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16. A dozen F-22 Raptors and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., will deploye to Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircaft's first overseas operational deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
2/17/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- The first two F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16 for their first overseas deployment. The remaining aircraft will follow in the coming days.
A software issue affecting the F-22's navigation system was discovered while the aircraft were en route to Kadena Feb. 10, which delayed the arrival for almost a week. F-22 engineers and maintainers rapidly updated the software and, after successful testing, the aircraft departed Hickam.
The Air Force is deploying 12 F-22 Raptors and more than 250 members from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Kadena as part of a regularly-scheduled U.S. Pacific Command rotation of aircraft to the Pacific.