From Stars and Stripes and Military.com:
Air Force Grounds F-22 Raptors
May 06, 2011
Stars and Stripes
by Jon Rabiroff
SEOUL -- The U.S. Air Force has grounded its fleet of F-22 Raptors, citing concerns over the aircraft’s oxygen system.
The 137 fighter jets were grounded Tuesday on the orders of Gen. William Fraser, commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., according to Pacific Air Forces Command spokesman Capt. Martin Gerst.
“The stand-down is a prudent measure following recent reports of potential oxygen system malfunctions,” Gerst said Friday. “The stand-down provides Air Force officials the opportunity to investigate the reports and ensure crews are able to safely accomplish their missions.”
Learn more about the F-22 at Military.com’s Equipment Guide
It is not immediately clear how long the Raptors will be grounded, or what it will take to put them back in operation, he said.
“The safety of our airmen is paramount, and we will take the necessary time to ensure we perform a thorough investigation,” Gerst said.
An investigation into the Raptors’ performance was launched in the wake of a November crash in Alaska. Since January, the jets have been restricted to altitudes of 25,000 feet because of concerns pilots might black out from a lack of oxygen, officials said.
Asked how the grounding of the Raptors might affect Air Force operations, Gerst said, “The temporary stand-down will have a negligible effect on real-world missions, as the F-22 remains available for national security-directed missions. Additionally … commanders may allow one-time flights if warranted and prudent.
“Crews will maintain proficiency through simulator and ground training events,” he said.
The F-22 program has been under intense scrutiny for years. Developed as the U.S. military’s premier fighter jet, the F-22 with its $400 million price tag has been hotly debated in Congress. When the 2010 Defense Authorization Bill was passed, F-22 production was capped to 187 total aircraft.
The stealth aircraft has never been flown in combat.
©
This article is provided courtesy of Stars and Stripes, which got its start as a newspaper for Union troops during the Civil War, and has been published continuously since 1942 in Europe and 1945 in the Pacific. Stripes reporters have been in the field with American soldiers, sailors and airmen in World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo, and are now on assignment in the Middle East.
Stars and Stripes has one of the widest distribution ranges of any newspaper in the world. Between the Pacific and European editions, Stars and Stripes services over 50 countries where there are bases, posts, service members, ships, or embassies.
Stars and Stripes Website
© 2011
Air Force Grounds F-22 Raptors
May 06, 2011
Stars and Stripes
by Jon Rabiroff
SEOUL -- The U.S. Air Force has grounded its fleet of F-22 Raptors, citing concerns over the aircraft’s oxygen system.The 137 fighter jets were grounded Tuesday on the orders of Gen. William Fraser, commander of Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va., according to Pacific Air Forces Command spokesman Capt. Martin Gerst.
“The stand-down is a prudent measure following recent reports of potential oxygen system malfunctions,” Gerst said Friday. “The stand-down provides Air Force officials the opportunity to investigate the reports and ensure crews are able to safely accomplish their missions.”
Learn more about the F-22 at Military.com’s Equipment Guide
It is not immediately clear how long the Raptors will be grounded, or what it will take to put them back in operation, he said.
“The safety of our airmen is paramount, and we will take the necessary time to ensure we perform a thorough investigation,” Gerst said.
An investigation into the Raptors’ performance was launched in the wake of a November crash in Alaska. Since January, the jets have been restricted to altitudes of 25,000 feet because of concerns pilots might black out from a lack of oxygen, officials said.
Asked how the grounding of the Raptors might affect Air Force operations, Gerst said, “The temporary stand-down will have a negligible effect on real-world missions, as the F-22 remains available for national security-directed missions. Additionally … commanders may allow one-time flights if warranted and prudent.
“Crews will maintain proficiency through simulator and ground training events,” he said.
The F-22 program has been under intense scrutiny for years. Developed as the U.S. military’s premier fighter jet, the F-22 with its $400 million price tag has been hotly debated in Congress. When the 2010 Defense Authorization Bill was passed, F-22 production was capped to 187 total aircraft.
The stealth aircraft has never been flown in combat.
©
This article is provided courtesy of Stars and Stripes, which got its start as a newspaper for Union troops during the Civil War, and has been published continuously since 1942 in Europe and 1945 in the Pacific. Stripes reporters have been in the field with American soldiers, sailors and airmen in World War II, Korea, the Cold War, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Bosnia and Kosovo, and are now on assignment in the Middle East.
Stars and Stripes has one of the widest distribution ranges of any newspaper in the world. Between the Pacific and European editions, Stars and Stripes services over 50 countries where there are bases, posts, service members, ships, or embassies.
Stars and Stripes Website
© 2011
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