F-22A Raptors from Langley AFB, Va., have made the 3,200-mile trip to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, to take part in the exercise called Northern Edge. It was the first trip for the new stealth fighters outside the continental US. “This is the longest continuous trip we’ve flown in this bird, so that gives us a great start to this entire visit,” said Lt. Col. Wade Tolliver, commander of the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley, the first operational Raptor unit. Elmendorf is slated to follow as the second operational home for a Raptor unit.
The U.S. has approved a $310.5 million Foreign Military Sale to provide Ukraine with maintenance and training for its F-16 fighter jets, the State Department announced May 2. Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force has been sending retired F-16s to Ukraine to be used for spare parts.