F-22A Raptor flies first operational missions

Posted on: Jan. 24th, 2006 || Source: af.mil | E-mail Article | Print Article

1/23/2006 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (AFPN) -- The F-22A Raptor showed another of its capabilities when it flew its first two operational sorties over the United States in support of Operation Noble Eagle Jan. 21 and 22.

The Raptor mission came one week after the 27th Fighter Squadron -- the first unit to fly the jet -- converted to the Air Force’s fifth-generation stealth fighter. The jet just reached its initial operational capability in December.

"Since becoming IOC, we have the ability to deploy," squadron commander Lt. Col. James Hecker said. "This is our first operational mission, the first mission where we've carried live ordnance.”

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