The 27th Fighter Wing, Langley AFB, Va., has received the 50th F/A-22 Raptor delivered by Lockheed Martin to the Air Force. The company has finished final assembly of 63 of the new stealth fighters and is conducting flight tests and final preparation at its facility in Marietta, Ga., of the Raptors set for delivery in 2005. Capt. Geoff Lohmiller of the 27th Fighter Squadron flew the 50th Raptor from Marietta to its home at Langley.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.