Ceremonies held at Holloman AFB, N.M., today marked the formal beginning of operations for the F-22 Raptor with the United States Air Force’s 49th Fighter Wing. The 49th Fighter Wing has made its mark in military aviation history from World War II through every major military engagement to include more than 80 F-117 Nighthawk missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. With the arrival of the F-22 Raptor at Holloman AFB, the 49th Fighter Wing is definitely the “home of the stealth fighter.”

A total of 183 production Raptors are currently on contract, and 119 aircraft have been delivered to the U.S. Air Force. Raptors have been in operational service with the U.S. Air Force since December 2005.

Raptors are currently assigned to six U.S. bases. Flight testing takes place at the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif. Operational tactics development is ongoing at Nellis AFB, Nev. Pilot and
crew chief training takes place at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Operational Raptors are assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley AFB, Va., the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and now the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, N.M. In the future, Raptors will be based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.