12 Raptors deploy from Langley to Kadena - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

12 Raptors deploy from Langley to Kadena

Twelve F-22 Raptors and crews from Langley Air Force Base, Va., are heading to Japan for the aircraft’s second overseas deployment.

Six of the Raptors from Langley’s 27th Fighter Squadron departed Wednesday, with another six set to leaveThursday. After a brief stop-off at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, the Raptors will arrive at Kadena Air Base, Japan, on Saturday and Sunday.

About 275 airmen are going with the aircraft for a three-month deployment, according to a 13th Air Force spokesman.

“This deployment supports U.S. Pacific Command’s theater security packages in the western Pacific,” Maj. Sam Highley said in an e-mail. “These deployments demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to fulfill its security responsibilities throughout the Pacific theater.”

The deployed units will be called the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and the 27th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Unit.

On the Raptors’ last deployment, in February 2007, the jets’ Global Positioning System navigation avionics went haywire when the aircraft crossed the international dateline over the Pacific Ocean. The aircraft had to return to Hickam and were delayed five days while they waited for software updates to correct the problem.

That is not expected to be an issue this time.