How the Improved F-22 Trains for Future Wars (With F-35s)

By

Oriana Pawlyk

An F-22 Raptor, assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., disconnects from the boom of a KC-135 Stratotanker after receiving fuel to continue on its training sortie during exercise Red Flag 16-1 Feb. 4, 2016. The high-tempo exercise incorporates both day and night missions that give aircrews an opportunity to experience advanced, relevant, and realistic combat-like situations in a controlled environment to increase their ability to complete missions and safely return home. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Burt Traynor)

As the Air Force’s most advanced aircraft, the F-22 is in such high demand that Raptor pilots and crews are constantly deploying for training and wartime missions.