The Hill quotes Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), who supports buying additional F-22s (see above), that he is concerned that the F-22 costs about $50,000 per hour to fly, which makes it much more expensive than the F-15 it’s intended to replace. However, that dollar figure includes base standup and other one-time costs no longer applicable to the F-15, according to the Air Force. It also includes other costs solely related to a stealth aircraft. To get a more credible comparison between the F-22 and the F-15, the Air Force says to look at the variable cost per flying hour, which in 2008 for the F-15 was $17,000 per flying hour and for the F-22 was $19,000.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.