The F-22s at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., and JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, are flying again, officials at both locations told the Daily Report Wednesday. Both bases temporarily grounded their Raptor fleets last week after two pilots at Langley-Eustis experienced hypoxia-like symptoms during a training sortie on Oct. 20. Alaska’s Raptor’s were up and flying again Monday, after officials temporarily paused operations over the weekend as a precaution following the incident in Virginia, said an Elmendorf-Richardson spokesman. Langley-Eustis’ aircraft were back in the air by 8:00 a.m. US East Coast time on Tuesday and continue to fly the “same number of sorties as before the brief pause,” said Monica Miller Rodgers, a spokeswoman for the 633rd Air Base Wing there. However, “the commander continues to closely monitor operations,” she said.
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.