Raptor Grounding Temporarily Lifted

[VNAF ONE]

28 F-22 Raptors fly for the first time since their grounding to evacuate Langley AFB, VA to take shelter from Hurricane Irene. The raptors flew to (very nearby) Grissom AFB, Peru, IN. The Air Force values the safety of the aircraft and personnel at an inland base as Irene posed a very serious threat to Virginia. Grissom was prepared to take the aircraft and new personnel at the base's facilities until further notice to allow the Raptors to ride out the storm.

Article:
http://www.airshowbuzz.com/go/article/v ... ake_flight

Video of Raptors departing Langley:
http://www.airshowbuzz.com/go/view/vide ... sDicKJXJU1

and OH MY GOD!


No words of mine can harness or even attempt to describe this picture. Absolutely the best next generation picture I've ever seen. I'm gonna get this made into a poster.

[Gunny]

Epic picture.I dub thee Thunder gods of battle.

[Dragon029]

I'd like to see a real version of that image.

I think I should try and make my own photoshop with F-22s and F-35s.

[VNAF ONE]

I'm not sure the image is actually photoshopped. It's possible that the lighting simply gives the picture a very abstract look. I do see some things that could lead to this being a shopped picture but part of me wants to say it's real.

EDIT: hmmm
http://ww8.asb.tv/photos/view.php?v=15891

I guess this would be it. That picture should've been real lol. Still want to "posterize" it.

[iqmal_97]

You call that a picture *in a non-offensive way*
Check out these babies..

[Honey Badger]

[red baron]

I'm not sure the image is actually photoshopped. It's possible that the lighting simply gives the picture a very abstract look. I do see some things that could lead to this being a shopped picture but part of me wants to say it's real.

EDIT: hmmm
http://ww8.asb.tv/photos/view.php?v=15891

I guess this would be it. That picture should've been real lol. Still want to "posterize" it.

Still a pretty freakin' sweet photo

[halberdier25]

STAY ON TARGET

[SvenPhantom]

Return of the Raptor:

http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Pages/default.aspx

Daily Report

Wednesday August 31, 2011

Return of the Raptor: The F-22 fleet will probably be up and running again "soon," said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. In an interview Tuesday, Schwartz said he expects a report next week from the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board task force headed by retired Gen. Gregory Martin, which will offer a way forward regarding questions about the F-22's onboard oxygen generation system. Schwartz said last week's evacuation of F-22s from JB Langley-Eustis, Va., in anticipation of Hurricane Irene was a simple early implementation of the "return-to-flight" plan developed for when the F-22 grounding is lifted. Schwartz also said the OBOGS has been ruled out as a factor in last November's crash of an F-22 in Alaska, which took the life of the pilot. A more thorough investigation of the crash site was possible during the recent summer months and yielded recovered hardware and computer memory that made a more comprehensive analysis possible. Completion of an accident investigation board report, long delayed due to difficulties in assessing the wreckage, is expected soon, Schwartz said.
—John A. Tirpak

Well the oxygen system was ruled out, but glad to hear the Raptors will return.