Hickam's F-22 integration strengthens warfighting might in Pacific

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
  • Defense Media Activity - Hawaii News Bureau
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Hawaii National Guard and Pacific Air Forces Airmen marked the arrival of the first pair of F-22 Raptors during a ceremony July 9, here.

Integrated pilots from the Pacific Air Forces 19th Fighter Squadron and the Hawaii Air National Guard 199th Fighter Squadron will be flying the aircraft, and a combination of Guardsmen and active-duty Airmen will be maintaining them.

"This construct marks an important partnership between the National Guard and the active-duty forces," said Gen. Craig R. McKinley, the National Guard Bureau chief. "I think it's a crown jewel, in all of our services, to have this type of team spirit here in evidence today."

This total force integration will help the integrated Airmen reach new heights in the way of an increased operations tempo as the Hawaii F-22 squadron is only one of seven operational squadrons, said Lt. Col. Harvey Newton, the incoming 19th Fighter Squadron commander.

Until now, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, has been the exclusive home to the F-22 in the Pacific Air Forces area of operations. The introduction of the evolved fighter jet is set to further strengthen the Pacific.

"We owe it to our nation and her protected citizens to equip our Airmen, our nation's sons and daughters, with the very best that we can," said Gen. Gary North, the PACAF commander. "The F-22's advanced technologies are an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities for the U.S. forces. Alongside our superb Airmen, who operate, maintain, support this aircraft, it represents an overmatching capability to any known or projected adversary fighter aircraft."

"Our Airmen in uniform, alongside their civilian counterparts, form the total force integration of active association initiatives where the Hawaii Air National Guard has the lead and our active-duty Airmen will operate alongside," said General North. "This partnership forms the bond in testament of our total force and it is the envy of the world."

A total of 20 F-22s will replace the F-15 Eagles that the 199th Fighter Squadron has flown since 1987. The F-22 is designed to counter lethal threats posed by advanced surface-to-air missile systems and next-generation fighters equipped with a launch-and-leave missile capability.

The Raptor performs both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, providing a diverse aerial combat capability.

"Imagine the best amusement park and the best ride and then quadruple the experience -- and that is what it feels like to fly the F-22," Colonel Newton said. "It is awesome."