http://n.yam.com/cna/international/200901/20090110605143.html
功能獨霸 F-22A猛禽式隱形戰機6架進駐琉球
中央社╱中央社 2009-01-10 19:16
(中央社記者張芳明東京10日專電)美國空軍最先進的F-22A猛禽式隱形戰鬥機六架,今天飛抵琉球嘉手納(Kadena) 美國空軍基地。這是繼前年2月之後它第二度被部署在這個美軍位於東北亞地區最大的空軍基地。
這六架F-22A猛禽式戰鬥機是由美國本土飛經夏威夷,於今天下午飛抵嘉手納空軍基地;另外還有六架預定12日飛抵這個基地,將駐紮約三個月。
美軍從1 月起也將在關島的安德森空軍基地(An-dersen Air Force Base) 配備12架這種戰鬥機,為期也是約三個月。
美國曾於2007年2月至5月首次在嘉手納空軍基地部署這種戰鬥機,創下這種美國最先進的隱形戰鬥機首次被派駐海外的先例。
F-22A 猛禽式戰鬥機具有不易被雷達偵察到的隱形功能,且在超音速之下具有高度的空戰和對地面的攻擊能力,被視為當今全世界最優異的戰鬥機。
日本政府看中這種戰鬥機,希望它成為日本新一代的主力戰鬥機,但是美國國會基於保護機密而不同意將這種戰鬥機出售給外國,使得日本始終未能如願,防衛省迄今尚未能決定下一代主力戰機的機種。
http://www.kadena.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123130799
Raptors return to the Pacific
by Maj. John S. Hutcheson
18th Wing Public Affairs
1/10/2009 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Six F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base today as part of a three-month deployment in support of U.S. Pacific Command's security obligations in the Western Pacific.
The planes landed around 4 p.m. under partly cloudy skies after a 10-hour flight from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.
The F-22s, part of the 27th Fighter Squadron, are deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va. This is the second deployment of Langley-based Raptors to Kadena; the first occurred in February 2007. About 250 maintenance and combat support personnel arrived here earlier in the week in preparation for the arrival of the Raptors.
Bringing the F-22 back to the Far East is both a reflection of the U.S.'s commitment to the region as well as an opportunity to demonstrate the plane's expeditionary capability.
"First and foremost, it's only our 2nd deployment overseas, so it's a chance to exercise in that capacity to meet the U.S. Air Force's worldwide obligations," said Lt. Col. David Nardi, a pilot with the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. "We're extremely excited to be here supporting the U.S.-Japan security alliance, and we look forward to strengthening that relationship during this deployment.
Colonel Nardi is one of 59 Air National Guard members on this deployment who fly and support the F-22 at Langley Air Force Base, making this a unique Total Force effort.
"This is a great opportunity for us to train with other U.S. units in the region and help carry out their mission of maintaining security in the Pacific," added Colonel Nardi.
For the Kadena Air Base, the Raptor deployment allows it a unique opportunity to integrate its operations with the Air Force's newest air superiority fighter and to exercise one of its core missions - to receive and bed down additional forces.
"The 18th Wing is extremely proud to host the 27th Fighter Squadron and the F-22 Raptor at Kadena Air Base," said Colonel Lenny Richoux, 18th Wing vice commander. "This deployment demonstrates the mutual importance of both the Raptor's unmatched combat power and Kadena Air Base as a forward power projection platform."
Colonel Richoux and Colonel Ronald Banks, 18th Operations Group Commander, were on hand to greet the first six Raptor pilots as they arrived at Kadena today.
"This deployment of F-22s to Kadena is a key force projection event and signifies the importance the U.S. gives to our alliance with Japan," said Colonel Banks. "Additionally, the presence of the Raptor is a major flexible deterrent option that 13th Air Force has to show "would-be" adversaries that the U.S. is committed to ensuring peace and stability in this region."
The F-22 is the United States Air Force's most advanced air superiority fighter. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capability.
"The airplane truly is a game changer," said Colonel Nardi. "It brings capabilities to the fight that no other airplane has, and it's exciting to have a chance to bring this capability to the Pacific theater."
As part of continuing force posture adjustments to address worldwide requirements, the United States regularly deploys additional forces throughout the Western Pacific. In addition to the Kadena deployment, 12 Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska-based Raptors will deploy to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.
The last six F-22s will arrive at Kadena Jan. 12.