Aircraft

USAF nears deployment of F-22A Raptor in Pacific

U.S. Air Force officials visiting Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor production line in Marietta, Georgia, last week revealed that the fifth generation fighter will frequently be deployed to Guam’s Anderson Air Force Base from 2008.

“Guam is becoming more important,” said General Paul V. Hester, commander of the Pacific Air Forces, referring to the U.S. military’s efforts to balance the growing military might in China.

Hester and other Air Force officials, including Lt. Col. Mike Shower, the newly named commander of the first Raptor squadron in Alaska, were visiting the plant to view Raptor number 4087 as it neared completion. The aircraft is the 87th production Raptor and the first of 54 F-22s to be based in the Pacific Rim.

Picture: USAF