A combat rescue officer assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron descends on a fast rope during alternate insertion and extraction training at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., on Nov. 13, 2013. Pararescuement and CROs participated in the exercise as part of their upgrade training. (Air Force/Sarah Ruckriegle)
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.