The 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., has received its last new F-22A stealth fighter, bringing the wing’s total to 40 Raptors and fully equipping both operational F-22 squadrons. Next month, the 27th Fighter Squadron embarks on its first overseas deployment with the new fighter, taking 12 to Kadena AB, Japan. And, the wing has sent another 14 to Nellis AFB, Nev., for the Raptor’s first participation in Red Flag. Langley still will see some additional new F-22s as the Air Force funnels fighters and pilots and maintainers destined for Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, through the Virginia base for indoctrination.
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.