MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
Airmen from the 325th Fighter Wing and the 23rd Wing were put to
the test in a simulated deployed environment at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., as
part of exercise Stealth Guardian, Aug. 10, 2017. During this segment of the exercise,
two F-22 Raptors from Tyndall’s 95th Fighter Squadron were rearmed and refueled
by way of a forward arming and refueling point from an HC-130J Combat King II.
Stealth Guardian, a fusion of Rapid Raptor and Rapid Rescue, is
designed to integrate and test Air Force assets through real-world exercise
scenarios similar to those found in deployed settings or contingency
environments.
Rapid Raptor tests the ability of the Air Force to quickly deploy
F-22 assets into a combat or contingency environment.
“A FARP increases our ability to respond to any situation
at a moment's notice,” said Capt. Josef ‘Hawg’, 95th FS F-22 Raptor pilot. “It
gives us the ability to operate out of austere locations which might otherwise
be out of reach, thereby making us a much more efficient and flexible deployed
force.”
In support of the exercise, Airmen, munitions and supplies were
transported from Tyndall via the HC-130J Combat King II to the staging grounds
at Moody AFB. Two F-22 Raptors landed, received fuel, were armed with munitions,
and sent back on their way fully mission capable.
“Rapid Raptor allows us to integrate with other platforms
which we don't normally get the opportunity to train with,” Hawg said. “This is
important not only for learning about other platforms and teaching them about
the Raptor, but it also teaches us as pilots how to handle unique challenges
presented by taking the F-22 off station where support assets may be limited.”
Integrating Rapid Raptor and Rapid Rescue showcases the
interoperability of both the 23rd and 325th Wings while allowing Airmen the
opportunity to train in real-world scenarios that are out of routine.
“This training is important because it allows us to practice
and perfect a new skill set that will allow us to provide air dominance
anywhere in the world on short notice, and with limited assets,” said Hawg. “It
increases flexibility and ultimately makes us a more capable and lethal
fighting force.”
*Editor’s note: Full names have been left out for
operational security purposes.