During a speech an Air National Guard conference in Baltimore, Gen. Michael Moseley, Air Force Chief of Staff, told the audience that USAF senior leaders had decided to re-designate the F/A-22 as just plain F-22. The move returns the new stealth fighter to its original pre-2002 designation. In September 2002, Air Force leaders heralded the addition of an “A” to emphasize its ground-attack capability. We are told that the switchback does not signify an end to pursuit of the Raptor’s ground-attack role. Watch this space for the formal announcement.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.