Mr. Putin's Thanksgiving Gift

The first F-22s arrived at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska in August 2007; on Thanksgiving Day, they conducted their intial intercept of Russian Bear H bombers, flying near Alaskan airspace (AP photo via Air Force Times)

U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors reportedly conducted their first-ever intercept of Russian Bear H bombers on Thanksgiving Day.

Military sources tell In From the Cold that the intercept occurred as the Russian aircraft approached Alaskan airspace in the Aleutian Islands. A total of four F-22s from Elmendorf AFB, near Anchorage, were scrambled to intercept two Russian bombers, which were detected at long range by radar and intelligence systems.

The Raptors flew alongside the TU-95s for a few minutes before the bombers turned and headed back toward Russian airspace. One of the photographs taken during the intercept is said to show the F-22's shadow falling across the fuselage of a Bear H.

The Thanksgiving mission was the latest by Moscow's long-range bomber squadrons, which have become increasingly aggressive in recent months, following years of inactivity. Since early 2007, Bear and TU-160 Blackjack bombers have flown a series of high-profile sorties against Norway, the United Kingdom, Iceland, Alaska and Guam. In each case, the Russian bombers were intercepted and escorted by U.S. or allied fighters.

Similar missions were flown during the Cold War, and analysts say the recent flights are symbolic of a resurgent Russian military, under President Vladimir Putin.

Last Thursday's intercept came barely three months after the F-22s arrived in Alaska. Elmendorf's 3rd Fighter Wing will eventually operate two squadrons of the fifth-generation fighters. The Air Force is pushing to buy more Raptors (beyond the current production run of 183 aircraft), but critics have complained about the cost of the program.

At $130 million a copy, the F-22 is more far expensive than the F-15s and F-16s that form the backbone of the USAF fighter inventory, but the Raptor offers advanced capabilities--including stealth--that the older jets can't match.

The F-22s conducted the Alaska intercept because Elmendorf's F-15s are grounded, following a recent crash in Missouri. The Eagle involved in that incident reportedly broke apart in mid-air, raising safety concerns about other F-15s. The jets are expected to return to service after inspections of key structural components.

With the F-15s on the ground, the Thanksgiving intercept may have been an inadvertent gift from the Russians. The Air Force is expected to use the mission as proof of an escalating threat, one it hopes to counter with state-of-the-art fighters like the F-22.

Raptor Arrival

F-22 Raptors of the 90th Fighter Squadron arrive at their new home, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska (Bill Roth/Anchorage Daily News).

The Air Force's F-22 Raptor program reached another milestone yesterday, with the arrival of eight aircraft at their new home, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

It marks the first time that the F-22--or any stealth aircraft--has been permanently assigned to an installation outside the CONUS. While stealth platforms have temporarily deployed to overseas locations in the past (including a F-22 squadron from Langley AFB, VA that spent part of last summer at Elmendorf), Wednesday's arrival represented the next step in the Air Force's basing strategy--putting its most advanced fighter closer to potential adversaries.

Elmendorf's proximity to Europe and the Far East was noted by General Paul Hester, Commander of Pacific Air Forces, who was on hand for the ceremony. He said that Alaska's "unique strategic location" made it ideal location to house "the most deadly tool in the box."

The Alaskan base will eventually receive a total of 40 F-22s, enough for two squadrons. Roughly 20% of the Air Force's Raptor fleet will be housed at Elmendorf, which becomes the third installation to receive the new fighter, after Langley (which has two operational squadrons), and Tyndall AFB, Florida, where F-22 pilots are trained.

Wednesday's arrival ceremony coincided with an Air Force announcement that it has signed a production contract with Lockheed Martin for the "last batch" of 60 F-22s now scheduled for production. The service now plans to acquire 183 Raptors, down from the 300 jets it originally hoped to buy. There has been talk about a possible F-22 sale to Japan which would keep production lines open, while the Air Force lobbies for additional Raptors.

After Elmendorf's 3rd Fighter Wing receives its complement of F-22s, Holloman AFB, New Mexico will begin the conversion process, taking delivery of its first Raptor in late 2008. An F-22 squadron at Hickam AFB, Hawaii will begin taking shape after that. Smaller numbers of Raptors at stationed at Edwards AFB, California (for flight testing), and with the U.S. Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada, for advanced tactical training.

In the interest of "balance" (we suppose), the Anchorage Daily News ran a companion AP article that recites frequent criticisms of the F-22: it's too expensive, we already have air domiance, it's the wrong weapon for the Global War on Terror. We've discussed--and debunked those arguments (at length) in previous posts. With China's expanding military threat, a nuclear North Korea and a resurgent Russia, stationing Raptors in Alaska makes a great deal of military sense, putting them close to the potential fight, and giving our forces the asset they need to ensure air dominance for decades to come.