Langley AFB to get extra F-22 aircraft

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (WAVY) - The Air Force announced Thursday that Langley Air Force Base is slated to receive an additional six aircraft as part of an F-22 Raptor consolidation.  The base currently houses two F-22 squadrons, each containing 18 combat-ready Raptors.

The planes come at the expense of Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, which is losing two F-22 squadrons. One squadron is being deactivated and its aircraft dispersed across other bases, while a second squadron is being relocated.

In addition to the six F-22s from the deactivated squadron coming to Langley Air Force Base, Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska will receive six, and Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada will receive two.

Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida was selected to receive the one additional squadron.

"This plan maximizes combat aircraft and squadrons available for contingencies," said Kathleen Ferguson, deputy assistant secretary for installations. "By consolidating aircraft at existing bases, F-22 operational flexibility is enhanced."

The Air Force says teams surveyed four F-22 bases, evaluating them for feasibility, timing, cost, and planning purposes to accept additional F-22 aircraft. The secretary of the Air Force and the chief of staff of the Air Force considered the site survey results and military judgment factors in making these basing determinations.

The consolidation moves will be finalized subject to completion of appropriate environmental analysis.

“The Air Force’s decision to send six additional F-22s to Virginia is good news for Langley and the Hampton Roads community,” said Virginia Senator Jim Webb. “Assigning additional aircraft to one of the premier fighter bases in the Air Force will improve efficiencies in maintenance and operations. It should also assist Langley’s active and Air National Guard components to operate together more effectively in the performance of their missions.”

"The Air Force made the right decision in locating these additional F-22 aircraft and more than 100 new personnel at Langley,” Virginia Senator Mark Warner said. “There will be obvious cost-savings and operational efficiencies through assigning these Raptors to existing bases, and I am pleased the Virginia delegation stood together to effectively make the case for Langley.”

According to the Air Force, the F-22 Raptor combines stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, and represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities.