The Pentagon just released to us two photos from the Nov. 22, 2007, intercept of two Russian Tu-95 Bear-H bombers by two F-22A Raptors from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. These are from different angles than the two we posted above, which have made the rounds of various Web sites. Alaskan NORAD Region scrambled the two F-22s to monitor the flights 
of the Bears off the coast of Alaska. It was the first operational use of Elmendorf’s fledgling Raptor unit. The photos were taken by the F-22 pilots, as confirmed last week by a DOD spokesman in response to query.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.