So far only JB Langley-Eustis, Va., and JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, have “paused” F-22 flight operations, after two Virginia-based Raptor pilots exhibited hypoxia-like symptoms last week. The other bases where F-22s regularly operate—Edwards AFB, Calif., Holloman AFB, N.M., Nellis AFB, Nev., and Tyndall AFB, Fla.—continue to conduct normal flight operations, although each base’s commander is following the issue closely, Lt. Col. John Haynes, an Air Force headquarters spokesman told the Daily Report Monday. “It’s going to be up to the wing commanders to decide how long to take a pause,” said Haynes. The Oct. 20 incidents at Langley-Eustis and the subsequent standdowns at the Virginia and Alaska bases occurred roughly one month after Air Combat Command lifted the fleet-wide F-22 grounding that took effect in May due to concerns over pilots exhibiting these same symptoms in some 12 cases going back to 2008.
Sticker Shock Drags Out USAF’s E-7 Negotiations with Boeing
April 18, 2024
While a deal on the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management jet may come soon, negotiations are stuck on the high price Boeing is asking for the development jets, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said recently.