The Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill AFB, Utah, will see its first new F-22A stealth fighters in April, when the ALC starts upgrading the lighting system for nighttime aerial refueling. The ALC maintainers have been working with a trainer to get acclimated to the new fighter; however, they say their experience with the stealthy B-2 bomber will help. Preparing for a new workload is “unique,” says Mike Dooner, the ALC’s F-22 production chief, but he added, “Our technicians and support personnel have spend most of their careers working with new technology.”
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
