The United States Air Force announced on the 12^th December that the latest fighter aircraft within its inventory – the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor – has reached the stage of FOC, or ‘Full Operational Capability’.

The announcement was made by the Air Combat Command (ACC) Commander, General John Corley, speaking from the air force base which first flew the Raptor operationally – Virginia’s Langley AFB. He described the F-22's newly-acquired status as “a key milestone”, and added: "The Raptor's success at Langley with the integration of active duty and Guard airmen is the showcase example of ACC's shared vision with Air Force leadership for the Total Force Integration of tomorrow."

F-22 Raptor Prepared for Global Air Power Duties

FOC, according to the general, indicates that the whole Raptor package – the aircraft itself, the pilots who fly it and those responsible for its maintenance – can be considered officially prepared for global air power duties – among which, deployment to a warzone.

"This announcement means the F-22 is ready for world-wide operations, should it be called upon," stated Larry Lawson – the General Manager of the Raptor programme, and Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.

He continued: "It's a great day for our nation and for the men and women who fly and maintain this incredible aircraft. They deserve the best our country can provide, and the F-22 will stand in the gap providing air dominance and air cover for those who defend us on the ground for the next four decades."

In further comments, Mr Lawson added: "The F-22 has proven its operational capability and maturity leading up to this important announcement. The Air Force declares Full Operational Capability after excelling in numerous operational tests such as the deployment to Kadena Air Base in Japan, Red Flag, Combat Hammer and the Northern Edge exercise in Alaska along with completing aircraft deliveries to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB."

The Langley-based 27^th Fighter Squadron was the first to gain an operational capability with the F-22 Raptor. The type now flies from four other USAF bases, including one – California’s Edwards AFB - that is involved with its flight testing.

Source – Armed Forces International’s US Correspondent

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