An F/A-22 Raptor, a vintage F-4 Phantom II and a P-51 Mustang fly a heritage fly-over during the Aviation Nation 2005 air show. [U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Demetrius Lester]

An F/A-22 Raptor aircraft takes off for a demonstration flight during the Aviation Nation 2005 air show. [U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Demetrius Lester]

Maj. Paul Moga returns to Tyndall AFB from a flight at the completion of the "war." Two F/A-22 Raptors joined 12 F-15 Eagles and a KC-135 Stratotanker to form the defensive counter air package, known as "Blue Air." [U.S. Air Force photo by 2nd Lt. William Powell]

Airman 1st Class John Korkian does a post-flight inspection of an F/A-22 Raptor at Langley AFB, Virgina after it returned from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The 27th Fighter Squadron just completed its first aircraft deployment giving pilots valuable "on the road" experience to...

Lt. Col. James Hecker (front) and Lt. Col. Evan Dertein line up their F/A-22 Raptor aircraft behind a KC-10 Extender to refuel while en route to Hill Air Force Base, Utah. Colonel Hecker commands the first operational Raptor squadron -- the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air...

Capt. Jeoff Lohmiller prepares to fly the first F/A-22 Raptor aerial mission of the Combat Hammer exercise at Hill AFB on Oct. 17. The captain is with the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va. The squadron came here on its first deployment, Oct. 15. The...

Staff Sgt. Jason McDonald (left), a weapons load crew chief, checks his technical orders after loading two joint direct attack munitions onto an F/A-22 Raptor. The sergeant and the Raptors, from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., deployed here at Hill...

Airmen with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit make final inspection checks on F/A-22 Raptor #03-4044before launching it. The Raptor was bound for Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The unit deployed there Oct. 15 with a twofold goal: complete a deployment and to generate a...

Crew chief Senior Airman Alexander launches an F/A-22 Raptor for a Combat Hammer mission at Hill AFB. The maintainer deployed from Langley Air Force Base, Va., with the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit to support the 27th Fighter Squadron during its first-ever deployment. The...