Jan. 6, 2005
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AETCNS) -- The F/A-22 Raptor program resumed flight operations here Jan. 6.
All F/A-22 flying operations were suspended as a precautionary measure following a Dec. 20 mishap at Nellis AFB, Nev. An accident investigation board was convened to determine the exact cause of the crash and is ongoing.
While the investigations continue, enough information is available following a comprehensive review of procedural and engineering data that senior Air Force leaders, who remain highly confident in the design, testing and development of the F/A-22s, approved the resumption of flying operations at all its bases.
“We have confidence in our current flying procedures, and any lessons learned from the Nellis incident will be applied to the F/A-22 program here at Tyndall AFB,” said Brig. Gen. Jack Egginton, 325th Fighter Wing commander.
The F/A-22 Raptor has logged approximately 7,000 flight hours and has an overwhelmingly positive safety record when compared to previous aircraft development programs. The pilot involved in the Dec. 20 incident was not injured.
A full and complete report of the F/A-22 mishap will be released to the public at the conclusion of the investigation.
