Air Force Officials Say Focus Is On Return To Readiness

In a brief statement, the U.S. Air Force announced late last week that the Air Combat Command has canceled the remaining 2011 schedule of air show appearances for the F-22 Raptor. The action is intended to permit F-22 wings to focus all flying activity toward returning the F-22 to mission-ready status.

File Photo

The airplanes have been grounded since early May, when problems with the oxygen generators cropped up. The Air Force was reporting things like anti-freeze, propane, and synthetic motor oil being discovered in the blood of pilots who flew the plane. They were also suffering from unexplained hypoxia.

The Raptor remains unavailable for use in combat, but had been performing at air shows around the country as part of an official Air Force demonstration team. That website now shows no events on the 2011 schedule, saying instead that visitors should check back for a list of appearances in 2012.

The Raptor had been scheduled to fly at Reno this year, but its appearance was canceled even before the deadly accident which occurred Friday afternoon, causing officials to postpone the remainder of the event.

In its statement, the Air Force said the demonstration team should return to a full schedule of appearances next year.

FMI: www.acc.af.mil/aerialevents/f22a/index.asp