With little fanfare, five F-22s of the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, returned home on Aug. 8 from an almost three-week deployment to Andersen Air Force Base on Guam for training. Capt. Candice Miller, spokeswoman for the unit, yesterday confirmed the return date of the Raptors. She told the Daily Report that the F-22s had flown a total of approximately 50 sorties, as part of the 13th Air Force-sponsored Jungle Shield air defense exercise. The Raptors also dropped 20 100-pound joint direct attack munitions, she said. Lt. Col. Michael Shower, commander of the 90th FS, told the Daily Report via Miller that the deployment demonstrated the unit’s ability “to deploy and employ F-22s” in the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility from Elmendorf, “employ live ordnance,” and integrate with B-52 and F-15E units also participating in the exercise.
Gene Smith, Former POW and AFA Chair, Dies at 91
Jan. 19, 2026
Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith, who overcame five and a half years as a prisoner of war in the notorious Hanoi Hilton from 1967 until 1973, died Jan. 16. He was one day short of his 91st birthday.
