F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., landed in Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines last week, in a widespread display of fifth-generation airpower across crucial regions in the Indo-Pacific.
The F-22s, designated the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, recently wrapped up Pitch Black, an air combat exercise, in Australia. From there, they deployed throughout the region as part of an exercise dubbed Iron Blade.
Four fighters went to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6. U.S. Airmen and members of the Indonesian Air Force trained together and conducted hot-pit refueling. The Indonesian Air Force wrote on social media that this is the first time F-22s have landed in Indonesia.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron land at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, Aug. 6, 2024. The F-22 Raptor is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances to defeat threats attempting to deny access in the defense of our nation’s interests. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, land at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2024. The F-22 Raptor is designed to project air dominance, rapidly and at great distances to deliver effects for commanders worldwide. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, conduct Dynamic Force Employment operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2024. The relationships and interoperability developed and maintained between the Pacific Air Force and Indonesia through exercises, civil-military operations, and military exchanges contributes to the preservation of peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force petroleum, oil and lubricants technicians prepare to hot pit F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, during Dynamic Force Employment operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2024. Through bilateral training, the U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces work together to promote interoperability, thus furthering our investments and strengthening our relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force petroleum, oil and lubricants technicians prepare to hot pit F-22 Raptors assigned to the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, during Dynamic Force Employment operations at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2024. Through bilateral training, the U.S. and Indonesian Air Forces work together to promote interoperability, thus furthering our investments and strengthening our relationships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
On the same day, four fighters landed at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, to kick off three days of briefings, static displays, and tours. This was also the first time F-22s have landed in Brunei, a small nation on the South China Sea—this March, USAF F-35s became the first fifth-generation fighters to land there.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Probasco, a F-22A Raptor pilot assigned to 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conducts a key leader engagement with, Brig. Gen. (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force, at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei Darussalam, on Aug. 7, 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors assigned to 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, conduct Dynamic Force Employment operations at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei Darussalam, on Aug. 7, 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Antonio Vicere, a member of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron, deploys a Starshield Terminal at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei Darussalam, Aug. 7, 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force Maj. Garrett Getschow, a F-22A Raptor pilot assigned to 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conducts a key leader engagement at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei Darussalam, on Aug. 7, 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Probasco, a F-22A Raptor pilot assigned to 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, conducts a key leader engagement with, Brig. Gen. (U) Dato Seri Pahlawan Mohd Sharif bin Dato Paduka Haji Ibrahim, Commander of the Royal Brunei Air Force, at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei Darussalam, on Aug. 7, 2024. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the United States established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mitchell Corley)
Finally, on Aug. 8, six F-22s landed at Basa Air Base in the Philippines. Two participated in formation flights with Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighters, according to the PAF. Basa, newly renovated to accommodate more aircraft, has hosted American fighters over the past few years as part of Cope Thunder exercises between the two nations.
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron park on the flightline during dynamic force employment operations at Basa Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. Dynamic Force Employment is critical for enhancing U.S. and Philippine Air Force cooperation and interoperability capabilities in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington)
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilots from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and Philippine Air Force FA-50PH light jet fighter pilots pose for a group photo at Basa Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. Dynamic Force Employment is critical for enhancing U.S. and Philippine Air Force cooperation and interoperability capabilities in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington)
A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi during dynamic force employment operations at Basa Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. Dynamic Force Employment is critical for enhancing U.S. and Philippine Air Force cooperation and interoperability capabilities in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington) (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington)
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Emmitt Niemi, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron dedicated crew chief, marshals a F-22 Raptor from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron during dynamic force employment operations at Basa Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. Dynamic Force Employment is critical for enhancing U.S. and Philippine Air Force cooperation and interoperability capabilities in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington)
U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi next to a Philippine Air Force FA-50PH light jet fighter during dynamic force employment operations at Basa Air Base Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. Dynamic Force Employment is critical for enhancing U.S. and Philippine Air Force cooperation and interoperability capabilities in a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington)
In each visit, the F-22s were supported by C-130 cargo aircraft carrying parts and personnel.
Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines each occupy key strategic territory along the South China Sea, and the U.S. Air Force has sought to bolster ties with all three through deployments and exercises in recent years—part of a concerted effort to build partnerships and counter the growing influence of China in the region. The F-22 remains one of the most potent symbols of American airpower, and Raptors are currently stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a rotation of fighters through the base.
