In training at Tyndall AFB, Fla., F-22As routinely take on six F-15s at once in mock dogfights—and the contest is still not even close, say Raptor pilots. Lt. Col. David Krumm, an F-22A instructor, told the Associated Press news service, that F-15 Eagle pilots are “the world’s best pilots.” So, he added, “It’s a startling moment for them to come down here and get waylaid.” The empathy is no doubt real, since current F-22 pilots flew F-15 and F-15E aircraft in their pre-Raptor days.
Three of four congressional committees with influence over defense policy have voted to change the official name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War—but final approval of the Pentagon rebrand is months away and not yet assured.