The F-22 has been judged “effective, suitable, and mission capable,” according to the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center. AFOTEC just completed Phase II of the Follow-On Operational Test and Evaluation of the Raptor, a “significant milestone in terms of validating the F-22’s combat capability” to perform offensive counter-air missions and destruction of enemy air defenses, according to AFOTEC commander Maj. Gen. Steve Sargeant. The F-22 was scrutinized for its air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, mission generation, and mission support. Lockheed Martin makes the F-22, and company VP Jim Grant said at a Wednesday press conference that “if you know anything about how tough they are in FOT&E, this is a rave.”
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.