F-22 Raptor Clears FOT&E: Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center officials say the F-22A Raptor is now “mission capable” for the air-to-ground role; they have completed follow-on operational test and evaluation for the new fighter. This was not a pro forma announcement, even though Air Combat Command declared initial operational capability for the Raptor late last year. In fact, Maj. Gen. Robin Scott, AFOTEC commander, says that ACC was able to declare IOC based on data arising from FOT&E. According to Col. Matthew Black, head of the AFOTEC detachment at Nellis AFB, Nev., that shepherded the evaluation, AFOTEC and ACC conducted the “most complex operational test ever on a tactical aircraft.”
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.