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<i>The F-22 needs TLC. Keep 'em flyin'.</i>

[Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, Oct. 10, 2005]

<b>RAPTOR 'DEPLOYMENT':</b> The U.S. Air Force is gearing up to conduct the first practice deployment of the Lockheed Martin F/A-22 Raptor. Langley Air Force Base, Va., where the F/A-22 is scheduled to achieve its initial operational capability in December, plans to begin the practice deployment by having eight of its 10 Raptors fly to <b>Hill Air Force Base, Utah,</b> on Oct. 15. The planes will stay at Hill for about two weeks and be used in various activities, including dropping inert Joint Direct Attack Munitions. The effort is designed to test the ability of the F/A-22 and its pilots and maintainers "to go to a foreign place and operate without the comforts of home," says Lt. Elizabeth Kreft, a spokeswoman for Langley's 1st Fighter Wing. A domestic base was picked for theÝpractice because "before you go halfway around the world, you want to see [how the Raptor does] in a more controlled environment," says Maj. Brenda Campbell, an Air Force spokeswoman at the Pentagon.


It ain't the heat it's the humility.

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How ironic is that? The day before I leave to go to Nellis to learn about the F-22 they come here (Hill) to fly for 2 weeks. I will miss out on everything except the flight in.

<img src="http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/457/bgnrjsiiw81q1gc.jpg" border=0>

Gravity....its not just a good idea, its the law.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
How ironic is that? The day before I leave to go to Nellis to learn about the F-22 they come here (Hill) to fly for 2 weeks. I will miss out on everything except the flight in.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I wouldn't bet the ranch that this deployment will be on time. There is some uncertainty in the aviation business. The game could be called on account of rain, or the "Feng Shui" could be wrong at Hill and the runway will need to be turned, or there could be long lines because of a fuel shortage, whatever.

It ain't the heat it's the humility.

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the more I see on this stress I am happy to see the raptor getting ready for the real world. I would love to be a fly on the wall in Bejing and north korea right now.

CRAPTOR?? LMAO..I like that.

OC

<b>F/A-22 Squadron Deploys to Hill AFB</b> (Posted: Thursday, October 13, 2005)
by 1st Lt. Genieve David & 1st Class Stefanie Torres
75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs and 388th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

The Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, along with more than 150 Airmen, will begin arriving Saturday for the first-ever deployment of the world’s first operational F/A-22 Raptor squadron, from Langley AFB, Va.

The 27th Fighter Squadron, of the 1st Fighter Wing, is deploying here as part of the Air Force’s effort to achieve Initial Operational Capability with the aircraft by December. The first deployment of the F/A-22 marks a significant point in the history of the development of their aircraft as well as acts as a test of its deployed capabilities and maintainability.

This is the squadron’s first attempt in showcasing they are capable of a deployment from home station, can travel to unfamiliar territory and effectively fly missions in a different environment than they are used to, said Lt. Col Bill Fisher, commander of Hill’s 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron, Detachment 1.

The F/A-22 is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances, and defeat threats attempting to deny access to our nation’s military forces. The F/A-22 cannot be matched by any known or projected fighter aircraft.

“The F/A-22 is significantly larger than the F-16, so they take up more concrete (on the flightline),” Colonel Fisher said. “The Raptor deployment footprint is also larger than the typical fighter squadron, with flightline maintenance facilities, stand-alone electric generators, a deployable debriefing facility and communications equipment, including a satellite dish, which all needs to be placed near the aircraft.”

Organizations throughout Hill have contributed to ensure this first deployment here is a success, Colonel Fisher said. This includes providing airfield waivers, communication networks, logistical support, and lodging and food.

“The 86th Fighter Wing Squadron Detachment 1, 388th Fighter Wing and the 75th Air Base Wing have all been working hard to accommodate the deployed aircraft and personnel,” said Col. Robert Beletic, 388th Fighter Wing commander.

The 388th Operations Support Squadron has provided training schedules that lets all 388th Fighter Squadrons have dissimilar training opportunities with the Raptor pilots. “The schedule will help the aircrew of both the F-16s and F/A-22s prepare for upcoming combat deployments,” said Colonel Fisher.

The 388th Range Squadron is scheduled to provide needed support on the Utah Test and Training Range for the first-ever weapons employment by operational F/A-22s to targets on the range on Tuesday.

“As a part of their hospitality, the 388th Range Squadron is providing work areas for the aircrew in the Deployed Unit Facility, and maintenance bays are being provided as well,” Colonel Fisher said.

“I am very proud of our people for the outstanding job they are doing to host the F/A-22,” said Colonel Beletic. “The support from the men and women of Team Hill is especially impressive given that everyone is also busy preparing for the Operational Readiness Inspection.”



It ain't the heat it's the humility.

_________________
????

Way to go, stress! You beat milobserver to a cut and paste!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=newicons/anim_lol.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Pilots Without Maintainers are Just Pedestrians With Leather Jackets and Cool Sunglasses."

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>The Raptor deployment footprint is also larger than the typical fighter squadron, with flightline maintenance facilities, stand-alone electric generators, a deployable debriefing facility and communications equipment, including a satellite dish, which all needs to be placed near the aircraft.”
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WAIT! They forgot the portable spa's and the 60 inch LCD HDTV's.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Organizations throughout Hill have contributed to ensure this first deployment here is a success, Colonel Fisher said. This includes providing airfield waivers, communication networks, logistical support, and lodging and food.
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Oh yeah, this will be a REAL test of just how deployable this Rolls Royce of the Air Force is. They probably have a chartered freighter on standby lest they need any parts. Lets see, how many of the great unwashed (Hog types) have done an engine drop or a gear swing in the middle of the flight line because you couldn't get hangar space? BAH!, I'd better stop right now, I feel a rant coming on.

OC

LOL @ oldchief. Trust me....they will be treated like visiting royalty while they are here at Hill.

<img src="http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/457/bgnrjsiiw81q1gc.jpg" border=0>

Gravity....its not just a good idea, its the law.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>visiting royalty<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote> Royal pain in the a$$, maybe?<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

"Pilots Without Maintainers are Just Pedestrians With Leather Jackets and Cool Sunglasses."

_________________
\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

LOL, baby steps.

<b>There are two kinds of soldiers.
Snipers...and targets.</b>
<img src="http://www.creedmoorsports.com/images/SA9121-M21.JPG" border=0>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> they will be treated like visiting royalty while they are here at Hill.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Yup, and when it's all said and done, the GO's will be congratulating themselves, Airman magazine will run a 6 page article on the 98% in-commission rate for the 50-100 hour airframes (look for it in the January issue) and A1C Chockpuller will think "hey, I don't know why everyone bitches about deployments, they're easy".

OC

Very true oldchief. I look for it to be online at the AF link loooooong before january though, lol. They wont want to waste the golden opportunity.

<img src="http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/457/bgnrjsiiw81q1gc.jpg" border=0>

Gravity....its not just a good idea, its the law.