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Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2104 Status: Offline

checksixx is right, SkunkWorksPlayboy! If any U.S. fighter or attack jet has a maintenance problem during his deploying or redeploying phase, a second jet remains on station to ensure that at least a two-ship flight will make the next leg. That´s the "wingman principle". But the majority of the aircraft package must left their station as scheduled because of flight plans and requested tanker support.

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2104 Status: Offline

The first wave of Raptors from the 27th EFS returned home to Langley AFB May 11, 2007, after their three-month AEF 5/6 (Cycle 6) deployment to Kadena AB, Japan.

Four F-22As taxi at Langley AFB after the first wave of the 27th EFS returned home on May 11th, 2007, from the Raptor's first overseas deployment to Kadena AB, Japan.

Four F-22As are parked at Langley AFB after the first wave of the 27th EFS returned home on May 11th, 2007, from the Raptor's first overseas deployment to Kadena AB, Japan. In the foreground: no. 03-4061 (marked 1st FW), followed by no. 03-4059.

Sorry for the typos! Photo gallery admin: Please correct Kadana with Kadena in both captions and May 12th with May 11th in the first pic´s caption!

<a href="http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123053141">1st FW PA news article with hi-res links</a>

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2104 Status: Offline

Some more details about the redeployment:

"The Honolulu Advertiser" reported:

Quote:

Jets give residents 3 a.m. wake-up call

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

Posted on: Saturday, May 12, 2007

Some Honolulu residents complained that Air Force F-22A Raptor fighters not-so-stealthily buzzed Waikiki at 3 a.m. yesterday, jolting sleeping people out of bed.

"It's not a good way to build community good will," said Makiki resident Laura Fink.

Four of the Air Force's latest-generation stealth fighters took off about 3 a.m. from Hickam Air Force Base en route to Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Another four of the jets left a half-hour later.

Hickam spokeswoman Betty Kalohi said the fighters were fitted with external fuel tanks and had orders to be back in Virginia before sunset. The extra weight required a "maximum thrust takeoff" with full afterburners, Kalohi said.

"They were here and did the same thing in February and nobody complained," she said. Kalohi said weather conditions with low cloud cover could have amplified the noise.

The Air Force did not return follow-up phone calls yesterday to see if the fighters in the first wave — which seemed to create more noise — strayed unnecessarily over land.

After almost three months in the Pacific, 12 of the Raptors are completing the first overseas deployment of the Air Force's newest aircraft.

The aircraft left Japan for Guam Wednesday Hawai'i time. Two aircraft yesterday were still in Guam awaiting tanker escort to fly to Hickam. Those two F-22As and two more still here will leave Hawai'i in the coming days for the East Coast, officials said.

KITV4 (TheHawaiiChannel.com) reported:

Quote:

Roaring Jets Wake Many Honolulu Residents

POSTED: 11:26 pm HST May 11, 2007

HONOLULU -- Many Honolulu residents reported hearing the roar of airplanes overhead early on Friday morning.

Eight F-22-A fighter jets left Hickam Air Force base between 3 a.m. and 3:45 a.m., according to a Hickam spokeswoman.

The crew had returned from a redeployment and was refueling in Hawaii before heading back to their home base in Virginia. The long trip required the jets to carry additional fuel to give them a maximum thrust.

Some people were worried the jets were flying low, but Hickam officials said the jets are not allowed to fly at low altitudes.

"Whatever (the Federal Aviation Administration) says -- 'You're going to take off at this altitude' -- they must do that. They would never bust that. That's a safety issue," Hickam spokeswoman Bette Kalohi said.

Hickam Air Force Base is scheduled to get a few F-22s in late 2010.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

Good Lord...I'm so tired of hearing crap from 'residents' everywhere about jet noise. If you don't like it, DON'T MOVE IN NEXT TO A BASE/AIRPORT! Hopefully the Air Force doesn't return any calls about it because its nobody's business how and when we move our aircraft. Further, if they want to push the issue, I hope the Air Force just decides to place the aircraft somewhere else in the future instead of Hickam....why produce jobs and economic boost to an ungrateful populace?!

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 1093 Status: Offline

checksixx wrote:

Good Lord...I'm so tired of hearing crap from 'residents' everywhere about jet noise. If you don't like it, DON'T MOVE IN NEXT TO A BASE/AIRPORT! Hopefully the Air Force doesn't return any calls about it because its nobody's business how and when we move our aircraft. Further, if they want to push the issue, I hope the Air Force just decides to place the aircraft somewhere else in the future instead of Hickam....why produce jobs and economic boost to an ungrateful populace?!

No kidding. It's like the South end of Hill AFB. People kept moving closer and closer and then they'd complain about the noise.

Newbie Joined: May 14, 2007 Posts: 1

Waikiki and the area around it where the complaints came from are at least 5 miles from the airport, but the departure route, or what ever you call it, has aircraft fly along the beach about half a mile out. They're building a bunch a new condos and stuff in that area so a bunch of semi-rich mainland people are moving in there. I guess hearing the roar of jets isn't something they're expecting when they move here.

I do think that the USAF was a tad unthoughtful by taking off at three in the morning, but it was a one time occurrence so I don't see why those people got all salty about it. Had I known the Raptors were gonna take off last night I would have stayed down there all night just to see and hear them take off. Do 2 tanks really add that much more weight/drag to require them to use afterburners?

It has to do with landing times. They did it all the time at Kadena. 14 ship taking off combat loaded at 2 in the morning did not make the locals happy Smile

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

Well they certainly wouldn't still be in burner five miles out, but keep in mind that the Raptor at full MIL power sounds nearly like an Eagle in burner...Check

Elite 3K Joined: May 10, 2004 Posts: 3103 Status: Offline

I don't know what they're complaining about - I love the sound of freedom Thumb

!

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2104 Status: Offline

Hey, guys! I understand your discussion about jet noise. But please note: I posted this news media stuff only related to additional re-deployment flight plan info, not related to any "wake-up calls" at Waikiki. And I full agree with parrothead: "I love the sound of freedom ! Thumb

"

Anybody who can/will give us an update related to the re-deployment of the remaining four jets? That would be very helpful! Also wanted is the 27th EFS´s stopover location on the West Coast during their re-deployment to Langley AFB on the East Coast.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 20, 2005 Posts: 1035 Status: Offline

As far as I know the aircraft flew direct from Hawaii to Langley...no stops.

Quote:

Good Lord...I'm so tired of hearing crap from 'residents' everywhere about jet noise.

It's either that or the rumble of T-72 battle tanks rattling them outta bed. Let them choose!
Of course, my obvious choice is the sound of freedom and a Pratt and Whitney

Enthusiast Joined: Apr 24, 2007 Posts: 32

Freedom isn't free...It costs folks like you and me....And if we don't all chip in....who will?....Freedom isn't free, no, there's a hefty** fee. And if you don't throw in your buck 'o five.....

Elite 2K Joined: Oct 20, 2005 Posts: 2104 Status: Offline

There´s a brand-new (but very short) top ACC video <a href="http://www.acc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070514-011.wmv">F-22 Returns From Deployment</a>.

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F-22 begins deployment to Japan