U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dave DeRemer

Airman 1st Class Lewis McNeal marshals an F-15 Eagle piloted by Capt. Mike Jones during Exercise Beverly High 08-3 Jan. 9 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Kadena AB F-15s were grounded since November, but 65 percent of the fleet was cleared to resume flight operations. Airman McNeal is assigned to the 18th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Captain Jones is from the 44th Fighter Squadron.

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) -- Officials from the 18th Wing anticipate resuming flight operations here Jan. 14 as 39 Kadena Air Base F-15 C and D model Eagles are cleared to fly again after remaining on the ground for more than two months as a result of a fleetwide stand-down.

The order to resume flight operations came from Gen. Carrol H. "Howie" Chandler, the commander of Pacific Air Forces, at the recommendation of Air Combat Command officials.

The Air Force stood down its entire F-15 fleet, roughly 700 aircraft, after a Nov. 2 accident in Missouri in which an Air National Guard F-15C crashed as a result of structural failure. Since then, the 18th Wing and other F-15 units around the Air Force conducted a series of exhaustive technical inspections focused on the aircraft’s upper longerons near the canopy of the aircraft.

The longerons are major structural components that run along the length and side of the aircraft. A series of Air Force time compliance technical orders directed 18th Wing officials to inspect the longerons for cracks and to take thickness measurements of the longerons at 84 different points.

Maintenance experts here identified a total of two aircraft with cracks in the longerons. In addition, officials at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center are still evaluating thickness measurement data from 16 other Kadena AB F-15s. The aircraft have at least one longeron that does not meet manufacturer’s blueprint specifications and will remain on stand-down until further notice.

Experts at Warner Robins Air Logistics Center will analyze the data from these remaining aircraft over the next four weeks. Once the analysis is completed, they will determine which aircraft will need further inspections or repair before returning them to flight.

"Our maintainers have been working around the clock to complete these inspections in a thorough and deliberate manner," said Col. John Harris, the 18th Maintenance Group commander. "It’s been an incredible amount of work and I’m proud of the way our Airmen responded to the call."

The process to ensure the base’s 50 F-15s met the requirements for clearance to fly again has been intensive. The inspections, detailed in a series of TCTOs, were conducted using ultrasonic measurement techniques, dye penetrant, and other sophisticated non-destructive inspection measures.

"Restoring our Eagles is an issue of both safety and combat capability, and we take that very seriously," Colonel Harris said.

"The F-15 is critical to the defense of Japan and for maintaining peace and stability in the region," said Brig. Gen Brett T. Williams, the 18th Wing commander. "Our priority in resuming flight operations is to fill our operational taskings and requirements for the defense of Japan and to do it safely. As a result of these inspections, I’m confident we will do that."

Perhaps no one will be happier when the Kadena AB F-15s go airborne than the pilots who fly them.

"Our F-15s being airborne again means we can resume training our pilots for their wartime defense missions," said Col. Douglas Carney, the 18th Operations Group deputy commander. "The many missions the F-15 could be tasked for require a high level of skill from our pilots, which in turn requires frequent training missions to maintain the appropriate level of proficiency."

During the stand-down, 18th Wing pilots logged extra time in the simulators and in the classroom to stay sharp and to be ready to climb back into the cockpit.

"This allowed our pilots to continue some excellent training without actually getting airborne," Colonel Carney said. "But there’s no substitute for the real thing."

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. John Nimmo Sr.

A C-17 Globemaster III taxies to the ramp at Balad Air Base, Iraq. The aircraft can perform tactical airlift and airdrop missions and can also transport litters and ambulatory patients during aeromedical evacuations when required.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 13, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-38 on an enemy rocket position. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller declared the mission a success.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Musah Qal’eh. A JTAC confirmed the mission a success.

An Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle conducted a show of force over a coalition forces convoy to deter enemy activity. A JTAC reported the mission as successful.

F-15Es performed shows of force to deter enemy activities in Orgune. A JTAC confirmed the mission as successful.

In total, 39 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Eight Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a GBU-12 and a GBU-38 to destroy an enemy vehicle. The mission was reported successful by a JTAC.

F-16s dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s to destroy a house-borne improvised explosive device in Baghdad. A JTAC declared the mission a success.

An F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on an enemy position in Baqubah. A JTAC confirmed the mission a success.

A Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet dropped a GBU-38 on enemy combatants in Baqubah. A JTAC reported the mission a success.

An F/A-18F destroyed a weapons cache house by dropping GBU-51s on the location in Bayji. The mission was confirmed as successful by a JTAC.

F-16s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy IEDs south of Baghdad. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An F-16 performed a show of force to deter IED emplacers in Balad. A JTAC reported the mission as successful.

An F/A-18F conducted a show of force to deter suspicious activities near Iskandariyah. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 59 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Nineteen Air Force and Navy surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 136 airlift sorties were flown, 333 tons of cargo delivered, and 3,929 passengers were transported. This included approximately 60,800 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada and Korea flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 12, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 46 sorties and off-loaded approximately 3 million pounds of fuel to 264 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo/Lt. Col. Marcel Dionne

An A-10 Thunderbolt II moves into position behind a KC-135 Stratotanker on a combat mission over Afghanistan. The A-10 is deployed from the 442nd Fighter Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit based at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 14, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, an Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped a guided bomb unit-31 on an enemy compound near Kajaki Dam. An on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the mission a success.

Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles dropped GBU-38s on various enemy positions in Nangalam. The missions were declared successful by a JTAC.

An Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II conducted a show of force over coalition positions near Khowst to deter enemy activities. A JTAC confirmed the mission a success.

An F-15E performed a show of force to deter enemy activities in Khowst. The mission was reported a success by a JTAC.

A Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier conducted shows of force over several locations in Musa Qal’eh to deter enemy activities. A JTAC declared the missions successful.

In total, 41 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Four Air Force and RAF surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, a B-1B dropped GBU-38s on an enemy boat ramp and river crossing destroying the targets. The mission was confirmed successful by a JTAC.

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon destroyed an enemy location (foot bridge), by dropping GBU-38s on the target in Latifiyah. Additionally, the F-16 performed a show of force near the same area to further deter enemy activities. A JTAC reported the missions as successful.

An F-16 destroyed improvised explosive devices near Baghdad by dropping GBU-38s on different locations. The mission was declared a success by a JTAC.

An F-16 destroyed a deeply buried IED and a vehicle borne IED by dropping a GBU-12 and GBU-38s on the targets in Baqubah. A JTAC confirmed the mission as a success.

A RAF GR-4 Tornado performed a show of force south of Baqubah, to clear a village of enemy combatants.

An Air Force MQ-1 Predator successfully destroyed a VBIED near Baqubah by deploying Hellfire missiles.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 59 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Ten Air Force, Navy and Royal Australian Air Force surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, six Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 128 airlift sorties were flown, 366 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,480 passengers were transported. This included approximately 80,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 13, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 44 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.7 million pounds of fuel to 254 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Andy Dunaway

Staff Sgt. Chris Koch loads one of 40 bundles on a C-17 Globemaster III for a Joint Precision Airdrop Delivery System of 40 bundles of humanitarian supplies to a drop zone Jan. 14 in Afghanistan. Sergeant Kock is a loadmaster from the 17th Airlift Squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., and is deployed to the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron in Southwest Asia.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Airmen of the 816th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron here airdropped nearly 80,000 pounds of food and water through the Afghan sky Jan. 14 as part of humanitarian efforts in the region.

The supplies were pushed out the backdoor of a C-17 Globemaster III and the cargo landed at the feet of forward-deployed troops operating in Afghanistan’s mountainous, snow-covered terrain.

Soldiers on the ground will share much of the food and water with Afghan people in the area as part of U.S.-led efforts to stabilize the country and bring democracy to the region.

"I think the best way we can do that -- and show them what America is about -- is to support them and give them the supplies they need," said 1st Lt. Joe Purcell, an 816th EAS pilot. "We’re not here to occupy their country. We’re here to help them rebuild."

In order to stabilize and reconstruct the country’s infrastructure, supplies are needed in regions with hazardous terrain and at remote locations deep in the mountains.

"The dropping of supplies to our forward-deployed troops and the men and women they support at these operating areas is just one of the many ways airlift is reducing exposure to enemy threats and keeping drivers off dangerous roads," said Lt. Col. Scott DeThomas, the 816th EAS commander. "It’s just another example of the full-spectrum capability of the C-17 -- anything, anywhere, anytime."

Mission leaders said the airdrop wouldn’t have been a success if it wasn’t for the Airmen who packed, loaded and unloaded the humanitarian cargo.

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers

F-22 Raptors fly in formation. The Air Force’s first four pilots to go directly to the F-22 without previous fighter experience are currently training at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in preparation for taking on the F-22.

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. (AFPN) -- The first Air Force pilots selected to fly the F-22 Raptor without previous fighter experience entered the 63rd Fighter Squadron for the Raptor Lead-in course Jan. 14 here.

The four pilots are 1st Lt. Austin Skelley, 1st Lt. Ryan Shelhorse, 1st Lt. Marcus McGinn, and 1st Lt. Dan Dickinson.

Prior to arriving at Luke Air Force Base, the four pilots were part of a pool of eight candidates hoping to be selected as the first students to go directly to the F-22. F-22 pilots currently flying the airframe had previous flying experience in other fighter aircraft.

The Raptor Lead-in course is a five-week opportunity for the four new pilots to experience flying a high-G, high performance aircraft with an instructor in the back seat before taking the stick of the $169 million, single-seat F-22 by themselves, said Maj. Daniel Munter, a 56th Training Squadron instructor pilot.

"This course is designed to be an intermediate step to (the pilots) taking the F-22 up for the first time and being successful," Major Munter said.

Pilots and other instructors from the 56th Fighter Wing have been working since early 2007 on this course, which is not necessarily designed to teach the pilots how to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon, but rather to give them experience in a high-G environment while familiarizing them with other aspects of fighter aviation which were unavailable to them during their previous training.

After undergraduate pilot training, the eight newly-graduated pilots were sent to Randolph AFB, Texas, for the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Course. That course familiarized them with fighters via the T-38 Talon trainer aircraft. By the end of IFF, the final four were selected to become F-22 pilots.

By learning to push the envelope in the F-16, the Raptor Lead-in course is designed to help them be successful in the maneuvering dynamics of the F-22, Major Munter said.

One of the major benefits to their F-16 familiarization is the similarities of the two aircraft, specifically the side-stick controls. Other aircraft in the Air Force inventory are controlled with the controls between the pilot’s legs. The fly-by-wire system is unique to these two fighter aircraft.

Other items the students will learn more about while at Luke AFB include night flying, day and night landing, air-to-air refueling and increasing their ability to perform the anti-G straining maneuver. This last item is key, Major Munter said. While the T-38 Talon is quick and maneuverable, it may have pushed the pilots to experience six Gs, or six times the force of gravity. While flying the F-16, the pilots will experience up to nine Gs, making their transition to the F-22 easier to handle.

This course is exactly what instructors at Luke AFB are used to doing, said Brig. Gen. Noel T. "Tom" Jones, the 56th Fighter Wing commander.

"You will get a lot of experience here from a fighter perspective and an intelligence perspective that’s very transferable to the F-22," he said to the four pilots.

For the new pilots, the opportunity to fly the high-performance F-16 before going on to the Air Force’s most advanced fighter is something they all look forward.

"Learning to fly an advanced fighter from world-class instructors is going to be a great opportunity for our class as we transition to the F-22," said Lieutenant Skelley, a native of Casa Grande, Ariz.

After completing the course here, the pilots will go on to the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., where after more than two years of training, they will take on the F-22.

U.S. Air Force photo

An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon at Balad Air Base, Iraq, waits for its next mission.

Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force troops in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 15, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, shows of force were conducted by Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles to deter enemy activities. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the missions were successful.

In total, 16 close-air-support missions were flown as part of ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Four Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan. Additionally, two RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

In Iraq, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons dropped guided bomb unit-38s on an improvised explosive device cache, destroying the target. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

An RAF Tornado GR-4 destroyed an enemy building in Iskandariyah by dropping enhanced Paveway II munitions on the target. The JTAC confirmed the mission was successful.

In Basrah, an F-16 dropped a GBU-12 on an enemy firing position destroying the target. The mission was reported as successful by the JTAC.

In Babil, F-16s dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s to destroy deep-buried pressure-plate IEDs and deep-buried command-wire IEDs. The JTAC declared the missions successful.

In Al Kut, F-16s performed shows of force over a coalition convoy in order to deter enemy activities. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 48 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided over watch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 125 airlift sorties were flown, 225 tons of cargo were delivered and 3,522 passengers were transported. Airlift included approximately 24,000 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Canada, Iraq and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 14, Air Force and RAF aerial refueling crews flew 42 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.6 million pounds of fuel to 240 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Ray Sarracino

An F-16 Fighting Falcon like this one crashed Jan. 15 in the Gulf of Mexico. The pilot ejected safely and was rescued. The aircraft was from the 93rd Fighter Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- An Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed at about 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Gulf of Mexico near Key West, Fla.

The pilot was picked up by a Navy helicopter crew and flown to a local hospital, where a physician examined him.

He was released from the hospital. The pilot was flying a training mission at the time of the accident.

The F-16 was based at Air Force Reserve Command’s 482nd Fighter Wing from Homestead Air Reserve Base.

A board of officers will investigate the accident.

(Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)

U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Matt Cook

A KC-10 Extender from the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron sits on the ramp at an air base in Southwest Asia after an eight-hour sortie. On Jan. 15, U.S. Air Force and Royal Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 16, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a total of two close-air support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Five Air Force and Royal Air Force intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, Air Force B-1B Lancer dropped guided bomb unit-31s on enemy structures in the vicinity of Baghdad. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller reported the missions as a success.

In Baqubah, Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons destroyed a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device using GBU-38s. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In Khan Bani Sa’d, a house-borne IED, and a VBIED were destroyed by F-16s using GBU-38s. The JTAC declared the missions were successful.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 to deter enemy activities in Khan Bani Sa’d . The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

In Baqubah, an F-16s dropped GBU-12s and GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The JTAC confirmed the success of the missions.

Navy F-18 Super Hornets destroyed an IED and an enemy weapons cache using GBU-12s and GBU-38s in Baqubah. The missions were declared successful by the JTAC.

North of Babil, F-18s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy HBIEDs. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

North of Babil, shows of force were performed by F-16s in order to deter enemy activities. The JTAC reported the mission was a success.

A show of force was performed by an F-16 in order to deter enemy activities in Tall Afar. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 65 close-air support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-three Air Force, Navy, and RAF intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally four Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 109 airlift sorties were flown; 205 tons of cargo were delivered, and 3,132 passengers were transported. This included approximately 39,930 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Canada, Iraq, and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 15, Air Force and RAF tanker crews flew 40 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.0 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.

U.S. Air Force photo

The F-22 Raptor is unveiled at its exhibit opening ceremony at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force Jan. 17 at Dayton, Ohio.

DAYTON, Ohio (AFPN) -- National Museum of the U.S. Air Force officials here unveiled the new F-22 Raptor exhibit Jan. 17 available to be viewed by all visitors to the public museum.

Several high-ranking officials, distinguished guests and many employees from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, gathered to witness the newest Air Force fighter put on display painted to represent an F-22 flown by the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

The museum’s aircraft, serial number 91-4003, was one of nine built for engineering, manufacture and development testing in 1999, and became the first F-22 to launch an AIM-120 air-to-air missile at supersonic speeds. After completing its test program, the aircraft came to the museum and was restored by the museum’s restoration team.

The F-22, which was given a declaration of full operational capability by the Air Force on Dec. 12, combines stealth, maneuverability, and the ability to fly long distances at supersonic speeds into an aircraft capable of performing both air superiority and air-to-ground missions.

Since entering the Air Force’s operational inventory in December 2005, the F-22 has been forging an impressive record in exercises and early deployments, proving its unmatched capabilities and exceeding expectations surrounding the program. F-22s participating in Exercise Northern Edge in June 2006 at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, achieved a kill ratio of 144 to 0 flying against legacy fighters and recorded an impressive 97 percent mission capability rate.

"The F-22 Raptor’s unique combination of stealth, speed, agility, precision and situational awareness combined with air-to-air and air-to-ground combat capabilities makes it the best overall fighter in the world," said Lt. Gen. Frank G. Klotz, the assistant vice chief of staff and director of the Air Force staff. "It will fundamentally change how America fights -- shortening wars and saving lives. It has been 54 years since U.S. ground forces have been threatened by enemy air attacks. The F-22 is the best aircraft available to extend that timeline indefinitely."

The museum is extremely proud to be the home of the world’s first and only F-22 on permanent public display, and should be seen as a place where people can come to learn more about the Air Force’s current and future operations environment, said retired Maj. Gen. Charles D. Metcalf, the museum director.

"So often when people think of an aviation museum, they think mostly about the great aircraft of the past," General Metcalf said. "However, we are a museum that not only strives to tell the Air Force stories of the past, but also those of the present and future as well, and the F-22 Raptor is performing and will continue to perform a critical role in accomplishing the Air Force mission for many years to come."

Members of the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing at Wright-Patterson AFB, which provides acquisition support to the F-22 program by managing contracts and ensuring on-time deliveries, led the effort to prepare the aircraft to be transferred to the museum.

The transfer required the talents of many people from a variety of offices, said Brig. Gen. C.D. Moore II, the 478th Aeronautical Systems Wing commander.

"The F-22 Raptor is a revolutionary combat system with its fifth generation fighter capabilities, and we are pleased to add one of these state of the art weapon systems to the museum’s collection," General Moore said. "The expanding Raptor fleet, represented by the display of Ship 3 (91-4003), reflects the finest in American ingenuity, creativity and innovation."

F-22s are currently assigned to five U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot and flight training takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational F-22s are assigned to Langley AFB, Va., and at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. The aircraft will also be based at Holloman AFB, N.M., and Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day). Admission and parking are free.

U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.

An A-10 Thunderbolt II prepares to take off from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, to provide close-air support to ground troops in Iraq. A-10s have excellent maneuverability at low air speeds and altitude and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platforms.

SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Jan. 17, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, a show of force was performed by an Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II to deter enemy activity east of Kandahar. The on-scene joint terminal attack controller confirmed the success of the mission.

Shows of force were performed by a French Mirage-2000 and a Mirage F-1 CR in order to deter enemy activities in Kajaki Dam. The JTAC reported that the missions were successful.

In total, 35 close-air-support missions were flown as part of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Six Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, an Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon dropped a guided bomb unit-12 on an enemy vehicle loaded with combatants near Al Muqdadiyah. The mission was declared a success by the JTAC.

An Air Force MQ-1B Predator targeted and destroyed enemy coalition members using a hellfire missile. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

Near Tikrit, F-16s dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy an enemy compound. The JTAC reported the missions were successful.

In Baqubah, Navy F/A-18E Super Hornets dropped GBU-38s in order to destroy house-Borne improvised explosive devices. The JTAC declared the missions were successful.

An F-16 destroyed an HBIED using a GBU-38 in Baqubah. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission. The JTAC confirmed the success of the mission.

In Bayji, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was destroyed by an F-18 using a GBU-38. The JTAC reported the mission was successful.

In Mosul, an F-16 dropped a GBU-38 on enemy combatants placing an IED. The JTAC declared the mission was successful.

In Basrah, Navy F/A-18C Hornets dropped a GBU-12, GBU-38, GBU-51, and fired a maverick missile in order to destroy enemy rocket launchers. The missions were confirmed successful by the JTAC.

In total, coalition aircraft flew 66 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions supported coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt terrorist activities.

Twenty-two Air Force, Navy, and Royal Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. Additionally, four Navy and RAF aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift support, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 136 airlift sorties were flown; 327 tons of cargo were delivered, and 4,001 passengers were transported. This included approximately 91,960 pounds of troop re-supply air-dropped in Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews from Australia, Iraq, and Japan flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Jan. 16, Air Force, French, and RAF tanker crews flew 41 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.3 million pounds of fuel to 191 receiving aircraft.