A crew chief waits to marshal a F-22 Raptor to its parking spot Feb. 7 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are bound for Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircraft's first overseas operational deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
The first of 12 F-22 Raptors lands for a brief layover Feb. 7 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are bound for Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircaft's first overseas operational deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
The first of 12 F-22 Raptors lands for a brief layover Feb. 7 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. The F-22s and more than 250 Airmen from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., are bound for Kadena Air Base, Japan, for the aircaft's first overseas operational deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
2/14/2007 - HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNEWS) -- While en route to Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 10, a software issue affecting the F-22 Raptor's navigation system was discovered.
All aircraft, which departed Hickam AFB earlier that day, returned safely. F-22 engineers and maintainers are working to update the software. After successful testing, the aircraft will continue their planned first overseas deployment to Kadena. Officials expect the aircraft will depart Hickam AFB within the next several days.
"This is a minor issue, and, since our focus is always on safety, the aircraft will not depart until we are confident there are no further issues with the navigation system," said Lt. Gen. Loyd S. Utterback, the 13th Air Force commander.
The Air Force is deploying 12 F-22 Raptors and more than 250 members from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Kadena AB as part of a regularly scheduled U.S. Pacific Command rotation of aircraft to the Pacific.
