Lockheed Martin rolled out the first F-22A stealth fighter destined for Pacific Air Forces on Monday. Raptor #4087 will go to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, which expects to field its first squadron of 18 by January 2008. Attending a small rollout ceremony at Lockheed’s Marietta, Ga., production facility, Brig. Gen. Carlisle, commander of Elmendorf’s 3rd Wing, took note of the “great Americans” in uniform or blue jeans who build the F-22.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.