The head of Air Combat Command 
said Tuesday that he sees no reason not to declare the first F/A-22 Raptor squadron ready for initial operational capability in December as planned. Speaking at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in Washington, D.C., Gen. Ronald Keys said: “The test is, can you do something with them? And, I will have enough on hand that I could send a dozen overseas for some meaningful period of time.” The squadron at Langley AFB, Va., has eight fighters and gets roughly two more each week. By December, Keys said, the unit should have 18, with the appropriate number of fully trained pilots. Keys maintains there’s no need to wait for the completion of the follow-on test and evaluation, which started during the summer, to declare IOC.
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.