Raptors fly safely through first 5,000 hours
Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey "Cobra" Harrigian, commander of the 43rd Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, flies Raptor 01-018, the first of 48 new F/A-22 Raptor's to be assigned to Tyndall's 325th Fighter Wing. The flight, which took place Septermer 26, 2003, is a major milestone and will now enable the 43rd to begin formally training pilots to fly this next-generation fighter. The 325th is also responsible for training pilots to fly the F-15 Eagle air-superiority fighter. The F/A-22 combines stealth, supercruise, maneuverability and many other features enabling a first look, first shot, first kill capability that will provide continued air dominance for generations to come.