(F22) Raptors in Alaska

(F22) Raptors in Alaska


It’s an exciting time at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, as we welcome the newest, most revolutionary, most talked about air dominance fighter in the history of aviation. The F-22 Raptor will soon be commonplace in the skies above Alaska, protecting America and the Pacific theater. With its arrival, our Air Force is more capable than ever of fighting and winning our nation’s battles.

We remember the words of one of our most visionary forefathers, Billy Mitchell, who said, “I believe that, in the future, whoever holds Alaska will hold the world. ... I think it is the most important strategic place in the world.” These words couldn’t be more appropriate in a summer that has seen the arrival of the F-22 as well as the C-17 Globemaster.

History has taught us that we cannot successfully fight tomorrow’s wars by training to fight today’s enemy. The global war on terrorism has challenged our Air Force in combat with an enemy that uses crude tactics and primitive technology. Who would have guessed 20 years ago we’d have airmen riding horses into battle in the 21st century? But that’s exactly what we did in the opening days of the conflict in Afghanistan.

It’s important to note that as the fight with our current enemy grabs all the headlines, the nature of warfare is constantly evolving on several fronts. We cannot afford to lose sight of the fact that we may be called upon to battle an enemy whose technology and skills more closely mirror our own, and we may have to counter both types of threats simultaneously. When that time comes, your Air Force doesn’t want a fair fight; we want overwhelming air dominance that makes the fight patently unfair — to the other guy. The F-22 is designed for just that — total air dominance for decades to come.

The Raptor is proving its mettle right now at five bases across the country. Last year it flew 97 percent of scheduled sorties during Exercise Northern Edge 2006. This year during its debut in Red Flag, the Raptor scored 100 percent direct hits with its air-to-ground weapons.

Airmen in Alaska have received the most advanced air dominance fighter in existence to enable them to meet their commitment to our nation.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Fraser
Commander, Alaskan Command

Rest of LTTE at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_opinion_letters_070827/

patting himself on the back? What a bunch of puffery.

pole and any fly-bys by the Russians in the area. This is all about the cold war heating up again.

For what it costs for a F22, one could buy enough materiel to make IED's to last a decade and enough small arms and ammunition to supply a fair sized army for the same period.

More Billions down a rat hole.

...I really like this airplane and as far as I'm concerned I want a strong Defense in the hands of men and women who have extraordinary control and judgement over its use. (Unlike the PINO we currently have).

Here's a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwW03efxdSo