Asia Pacific Defense Forum ::

1st Lt. Rachel Sherburne. USAF, is assigned to 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs; SMSgt. Deborah VanNierop, USAF, is assigned to Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs; SrA Anthony Kuhn, USAF, and SSGT. Kevin Nichols, USAF, are assigned to Air Force News Agency.

Twelve U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors and more than 250 personnel deployed to Kadena Air Base, Japan, for a month in early 2007. These forces were under the operational control of [U.S.] Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and 13th Air Force. The mission, in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security in the Western Pacific, was part of a regularly scheduled U.S. Pacific Command rotational assignment of aircraft to the Pacific. It was also the first overseas deployment for the Air Force’s newest fighter.

The deployment of the F-22A into the theater and eventual permanent stationing in Alaska and Hawaii are the latest examples of U.S. commitment to the Asia-Pacific region. A transformational combat aircraft, the F-22 is effectively invisible to threats, cruises at supersonic speeds, is highly maneuverable and provides an unprecedented level of integrated situational awareness (see sidebar).

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Chip Utterback, 13th Air Force commander, stressed that the deployment is not in response to any specific situation in the region. “The United States routinely evaluates its readiness and repositions forces throughout the Western Pacific to meet its security obligations. The F-22A deployment is the latest example of the flexibility that U.S. forces have to meet ongoing commitments within the region,” he said. “The F-22 will lead and enable the joint force to operate at will without interference from an opposing force in the Pacific and throughout the rest of the world for years to come.”

In addition to the Raptor, other U.S. Air Force aircraft, including B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers and F-15, F-16 and F-117 fighters, have also temporarily deployed to the Pacific. “Versatile mission platforms give soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines the ability to operate in today’s constantly changing threat environments,” noted

Lt. Gen. Utterback. “Forward basing aircraft such as the F-22 and other air assets gives commanders the capability to respond to any contingency, anywhere in the theater in minimal time.”

While deployed to Kadena, F-22A personnel showcased the capabilities of the Raptor as they trained with U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps units. “We’re eager to assist U.S. Pacific Command, helping to ensure an environment of security and stability to support and foster freedom and prosperity throughout the Asia-Pacific Region,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Burton M. Field, 1st Fighter Wing commander. “This is what we train for, and we’re ready.”

Kadena Airmen Host F-22 Raptors
As Kadena Air Base officials prepared to host the 12 F-22A Raptors, the base’s most important focus was their readiness stance. “That readiness gives us peace and stability in the region,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Harold W. Moulton, 18th Wing commander. “And frankly because the front lines of the War on Terror are now in the [U.S.] Central Command area of responsibility, we’re able to protect that flank. We see here at Kadena the opportunity to integrate with our tankers, with our AWACS [Airborne Warning and Control aircraft] and with our F-15 to be able to leverage the new capabilities that the F-22 has.”

Training with all U.S. services on Okinawa also provided airmen opportunities and the experience of working in a joint environment. “On our ramp ... we have visiting F-18 and visiting Harriers,” said Brig. Gen. Moulton. “In addition to that, we have P-3s [Orion maritime patrol aircraft] from the Navy here. We have Marines who have a permanent station close by, and the newest and most unique thing is we bedded down the first [battalion] of the [U.S. Army’s] First Air Defense artillery unit here. So now we have [Patriot missiles] defending Kadena, and what’s more important, we know that they’re ready to go with us if we have to defend Kadena from ballistic missile or air threats.”

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An F-22A Raptor receives fuel from a KC-135 Stratotanker over Iwo Jima, Japan, while en route to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, in February 2007. This was the first overseas rotational deployment of the [U.S.] Pacific Air Forces’ (PACAF’s) newest fighter.
Photo by SrA Jeremy McGuffin, USAF

PACAF Commander General Paul V. Hester speaks during the acceptance ceremony in Marietta, Georgia, USA, for PACAF’s first F-22A Raptor.
Photo by John Rossino

An F-22A Raptor in flight over Marietta, Georgia, during acceptance ceremony.
Photo by John Rossino

F-22A Raptors sit on the flight line at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, before flying to Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Photo by TSgt. Shane A. Cuomo, USAF