An F/A-22 Raptor flies over the graduation parade at the U.S. Air Force academy on June 1. It was flown by Lt. Col. Dawn Dunlop, a graduate of the academy's Class of 1988. She is now a test pilot and squadron operations officer at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., with nearly...

The F/A-22 Raptor moves into operational testing, flying the first two-ship mission over Edwards on April 29. [U.S. Air Force photo by Kevin Robertson]

Tech. Sgt. Glenn Lesher performs preflight launch checks on F/A-22 Raptor #99-4011. The "OT" on the tail designates the Raptor as an operational test vehicle. An April 29 mission tested two Raptors for the first time in the sky over Edwards. Sergeant Lesher is a 31st Test and...

A Pratt and Whitney F119 engine runs in full afterburner during an engine test in the "hush house" at Tyndall AFB. The base is the first to receive upgrades to its engine test facilities, allowing maintainers to accommodate and test the F/A-22 Raptor's 35,000-pound...

A modified KC-135 Stratotanker sprays water on an F/A-22 during an airborne ice test over Edwards AFB. The Raptor was the first aircraft to use the 'rain and ice tanker' for testing. [U.S. Air Force photo by Derk Blanset]

Maj. Michael Hoepfner completes his checkout flight in Raptor No. 18 recently as the first local F/A-22 fighter pilot to finish his training at Tyndall AFB. [U.S. Air Force photo by Lisa Carroll]

A KC-10 Extender from Travis Air Force Base, Calif., refuels an F/A-22 Raptor. The Raptor is the replacement for the F-15 Eagle. It is the most advanced fighter aircraft in the world, combining a revolutionary leap in technology and capability with reduced support requirements...

Lt. Col. Dave Rose flew the Air Force's new F/A-22 Raptor during a First Flight Centennial Celebration fly-by at the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Dec. 16th. Langley Air Force Base, Va., is slotted to be the home of the first operational...

Lt. Col. Dave Rose flew the Air Force's new F/A-22 Raptor during a First Flight Centennial Celebration fly-by at the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, N.C. on Dec. 16th. Langley Air Force Base, Va., is slotted to be the home of the first operational...