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http://www.newsherald.com/articles/force-96998-resume-tyndall.htmlF-22 to resume flightsComments 2
September 20, 2011 12:01:00 AM
RANDAL YAKEY / News Herald Writer
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE — After more than four-and-a-half months of being grounded, the F-22 Raptor once again will take to the skies.
Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Monday announced an implementation plan developed by Air Combat Command officials that will allow the F-22 Raptor to resume flight operations, according to Air Combat Command officials.
“We now have enough insight from recent studies and investigations that a return to flight is prudent and appropriate,” Schwartz said in a news release Monday. “We’re managing the risks with our aircrews, and we’re continuing to study the F-22’s oxygen systems and collect data to improve its performance.”
Air Combat Command officials said they developed a comprehensive incremental return-to-fly plan that balances safety and the expedient qualification of pilots against the inherent risks of flying advanced combat aircraft, officials said.
Neither the Air Force nor Lockheed Martin has said much over the past few month other than they were investigating the problem.
The problem with the F-22 oxygen system came to light in November when an F-22 crashed just outside Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, killing the pilot, Capt. Jeff Haney. Air Force officials briefly halted F-22 fights out of Elmendorf after the crash.
The Air Force confirmed “a parallel investigation” of the on-board oxygen systems of the A-10, F-15E, F-16, F-35 and T-6 aircraft, none of which fly out of Tyndall. Tyndall Air Force Base officials said other aircraft continue to fly to and from the base.
Raptor sorties had been restricted to an altitude of 25,000 feet or below for training missions because of the oxygen system malfunctions, according to Air Force officials.
Tyndall Air Force Base is the home of the 325th Fighter Wing, whose primary mission is to provide air training for F-22 Raptor pilots, as well as maintenance personnel and air battle managers.
Training for F-22 pilots is performed in the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall. The 325th Air Control Squadron trains air battle managers for assignment to combat Air Force units.
Tyndall and other local military officials could not be reached for comment Monday night.
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