The aircraft were assigned to the 27th and 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadrons. Their participation placed the F-22 at the center of integrated flight operations focused on speed, coordination and operational flexibility.
Maintainers completed final inspections before each launch, while pilots reviewed mission objectives. Operations and support teams coordinated the personnel, equipment and resources needed to sustain the sorties.
The exercise applied agile combat employment principles to strengthen the wing’s ability to respond to emerging regional threats. It also tested how effectively Kadena could generate and support advanced fighter operations under realistic conditions.
“We’re getting a lot of local flying to build our combat readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Brenden Torphy, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron director of operations. “Exercises like this allow us to train under realistic conditions and ensure we’re ready to defend Kadena, our allies and our partners whenever we’re called upon.”
The F-22 launches represented one part of the wider installation-level exercise. Each sortie depended on coordinated work by aircraft maintainers, flying operations personnel and mission-support teams.
The training assessed more than the ability to place Raptors in the air at short notice. It also examined the infrastructure and support network required to maintain repeated combat flying operations.
“This is what we do every day,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Claudia Verissimo, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief. “We stay ready, so we don’t have to get ready. Exercises like this reinforce the work we put in every day and ensure our aircraft are ready whenever they’re needed.”
The Air Force said routine readiness events help maintain a credible force capable of projecting airpower with limited warning. BB26-1 also supported the 18th Wing’s role in defending Kadena and supporting allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific.
