F-22s Make Noise Over Holloman

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Martha Whipple
  • 44th Fighter Group Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AFB, N.M. --  Pilots from the 44th Fighter Group stepped into the F-22 cockpit and maintainers pulled chocks from the wheels for the first time in four months.

The Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz have recently approved an implementation plan developed by Air Combat Command officials that will allow the F-22 Raptor to resume flight operations after a four-month stand down.

The commander of Air Combat Command directed a stand-down of the fleet May 3 as a safety precaution, following 12 separate reported incidents where pilots experienced hypoxia-like symptoms. About 20 F-22s at Holloman were grounded.

Officials remain focused on the priorities of aircrew safety and combat readiness. The return-to-fly plan implements several risk mitigation actions, to include rigorous inspections, training on life support systems and continued data collection.

Holloman's reserve pilots will wear a device to monitor their heart rate and oxygen levels as a safety precaution.

"The safety of our pilots and crew remain paramount," said Lt. Col. Robert Buchanan, 301st Fighter Squadron commander. "We are managing the risks of our aircrew while officials continue the study of the F-22 oxygen systems."

Prior to the stand down, ACC officials convened a Class E Safety Investigation Board in January 2011 to look into hypoxia-related reports. At the same time, a Hypoxia Deep-Dive Integrated Product Team began an in-depth study on safety issues involving aircraft oxygen generation systems.

No reports of hypoxia-related incidents were reported by the seven reserve F-22 pilots assigned to the 301st FS, according to Buchanan.

In June 2011, the Secretary of the Air Force directed the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board to continue the oxygen generation study concurrent with the ongoing safety investigation board. A releasable report will be made available later this year.

The F-22 Raptor entered service in 2005. As America's primary air superiority weapon system, the F-22 has flown more than 300 missions in support of Operation Noble Eagle and deployed on a rotational basis to the Pacific region and Southwest Asia.