Officials at the Ogden Air Logistics Center last week unveiled the new F-22 heavy maintenance facility at Hill AFB, Utah. The 96,000-square-foot building accommodates seven F-22s at any one time, in addition to a specialized shop dedicated to the Raptor’s unique composite structures, reported Utah’s Standard-Examiner. “This facility greatly expands our capability,” said Ogden Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew Busch. Rep. Robert Bishop (R) sliced the ribbon, inaugurating the new facility on Jan. 12. The new addition represents the second phase of a $45 million project to establish Raptor depot maintenance to Hill. Work on the 70,000-square-foot, phase one facility concluded in mid 2010. In addition to Hill, F-22 prime contractor Lockheed Martin performs Raptor overhaul work at its facility in Palmdale, Calif.
Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held meetings with defense leaders from the Philippines, Japan, and South Korea during a trip to the Indo-Pacific this week.