Air Combat Command chief Gen. Ronald Keys and 1st Fighter Wing’s Brig. Gen. Burton Field plan to announce Thursday at Langley AFB, Va., that the F-22 Raptor is cleared for initial operational capability.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.