F-22 Arrival Ceremony
An F-22 Raptor is blessed by "Kahu" Kekoa Kordel, a local priest, during the F-22 Arrival Ceremony here, July 9. The F-22 Raptor is the Air Force's newest fighter aircraft. Its combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities. The ceremony marks the beginning of the partnership between the Hawaii Air National Guard and the active duty Air Force flying the “fifth generation” fighter at Hickam. The F-22 Raptors are assigned to the 199th Fighter Squadron, 154th Wing, Hawaii Air National Guard and the 19th Fighter Squadron, 15th Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Gustavo Gonzalez)