F-22 scheduled for first overseas deployment

Two F-22A Raptors taxi down the runway. A squadron of F-22 Raptors is scheduled to deploy to Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of U.S. Pacific Command's Theater Security Package in the Western Pacific in early 2007. This will be the first overseas deployment for the Air Force's newest fighter. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

Valiant Shield 2006

PACIFIC OCEAN, (June 18, 2006) - A U.S. Air Force B-2 bomber is acccompanied by F-15s, F-16s, as well as Navy and Marine Corps F-18s, as it flies over the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) and USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) carrier strike group during a joint photo exercise (PHOTOEX) in preparation for Valiant Shield 2006. The PHOTOEX featured the bomber as well as 16 other aircraft and the U.S. Navy Kitty Hawk Carrier Strike Group. The Air Force is currently participating in Valiant Shield 2006, the largest joint exercise in recent history. Held in the Guam operating area (June 19-23), the exercise involves 28 Naval vessels including three carrier strike groups, more than 300 aircraft and more than 20,000 service members from the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jarod Hodge)

F-22s arrive at Elmendorf for exercise

An F-22 Raptor lands at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, on Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Raptors from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB, Va., are supporting Exercise Northern Edge 2006. The Air Force selected Elmendorf as the home for the next operational F-22 squadron. The base will receive 36 Raptors, with the first jet expected in fall 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Keith Brown)

C-17 airdrop training mission

An extraction chute opens over the drop zone during an airdrop training mission on Tuesday, May 16, 2006. The C-17 Globemaster IIIs are from the 535th Airlift Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Base officials are conducting multi-element training for aircrews to maintain aircrew proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

C-17 airdrop training mission

C-17 Globemaster IIIs from the 535th Airlift Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii participate in an airdrop training mission May 16, 2006. The 535th AS is conducting the training to provide multi-element training for the pilots and maintain aircrew proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

C-17 airdrop training mission

Capt. Jason Mills and Maj. Matthew Zehr take off from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii May 16, 2006, for an airdrop training mission. Captain Mills and Major Zehr are from the 535th Airlift Squadron. The training provides multi-element training for the pilots enables users to get larger amounts of equipment in a short period of time and maintains aircrew proficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)