Final F-22 Raptor delivered to U.S. Air Force
NewsMay 03, 2012
MARIETTA, Ga. Lockheed Martin officials delivered today the final F-22 Raptor ? 195th overall -- to U.S. Air Force. The delivery was concluded in an official ceremony at Lockheed Martin?s facility in Marietta, Ga., with various government and local officials as well as the Lockheed Martin employees that helped build the F-22 Raptor fleet.
This last Raptor becomes part of a U.S. Air Force fleet of 187 operational F-22s and will soon join other F-22s in the Air Force’s 3rd Wing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The first F-22 was delivered to the Air Force in 1997, Eight Raptors were used as test aircraft.
F-22s are assigned to seven U.S. bases with flight tests taking place at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is continuing at Nellis AFB, Nev. F-22 Pilot training currently takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. The operational F-22 fighters are assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; and Holloman AFB, N. M.
The F-22 Raptor is the currently world’s only operational 5th generation fighter. It has the capability to defeat denied-access threats, enable joint and coalition operations in contested areas, while globally promoting deterrence and security.
For more information on the F-22, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/products/f22/.
