Gen. Mike Hostage, commander of Air Combat Command, has formally lifted the flying ban for the F-22 fleet. We reported Monday that implementation of a return-to-flight plan was imminent. Hostage said in a release posted late Monday by ACC, “I’m confident we’ve reached the point to begin a measured and incremental return to flying.” First step is for F-22 instructor pilots and flight leads to regain their “necessary proficiency,” according to the release. The Air Force’s Scientific Advisory Board continues to search for a root cause to problems involving the fighter’s onboard oxygen generating system and plans to release a report in October. (See F-22 Coming Back from Monday’s Daily Report and the AFNS release F-22 To Resume Flight Operations.)
Air Combat Command will hold its distinguished William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons competition in March after it was postponed last year.
