F/A-22 pilots deployed from Langley AFB, Va., to Utah (DR, 10/17/05) expressed their enthusiasm for the new stealthy fighter to a reporter from the Hampton Roads (Va.) Daily Press, saying they want to dominate every fight. “If I can blow up a threat before he knows I’m here, that’s what I want,” Maj. Chuck Corcoran told the Press. He added, “This plane can go places that an aluminum plane just can’t. With the F-15, we’ll probably both get a shot.” Lt. Col. Jim Hecker agreed, telling the Press, “We want to win every fight 59-0.”
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…