Bulldogs: 525th Fighter Squadron sets sortie record at Kadena Air Base, Japan

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Maeson Elleman
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --   A group of F-22 Raptors, their pilots and maintainers from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson's 525th Fighter Squadron "Bulldogs" deployed to Kadena last month to test their capabilities in a new environment - setting records in the process.

Now the last few jets are preparing to redeploy to their Alaskan home front. During their stay with the 18th Wing, they've reached unprecedented heights for a single fighter squadron, all the while adapting from the harsh cold of Alaska to the tropical environment of Okinawa.

"It's all about showcasing the capabilities of Pacific Air Forces," said Capt. Devin Hartman, 525th Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge.
 
"Our mission is to employ the F-22s and train in a different setting, all the while adding to the Pacific presence. Just being on Okinawa helps both maintenance and operations personnel, because of the unique challenges the environment presents."

One of the accomplishments the Bulldogs are boasting is the 30 sorties, or complete flight cycles, the squadron flew in one day - an achievement unreached by other fighter squadrons in the Air Force so far.

"The fact that we could pull off such a feat is a big deal because no other single fighter squadron has ever done it," Hartman said. "We've surpassed what people are used to, and performing how we have really makes an impression on a lot of people."

While on Okinawa, Airmen from the F-22 squadron haven't been "roughing it alone."

They've worked hand-in-hand with Kadena Air Base's Airmen and aircraft from the 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, 909th Air Refueling Squadron, and 67th and 44th Fighter Squadrons, as well as with Marines and their aircraft from Marine Corps bases on-island.

"We have F-22s, F-15s, (E-3 Sentries) and other aircraft that in a contingency would be fighting together, and by them coming down here, it's a chance for us all to train together as well," said Col. David Nahom, 18th Operations Group commander.

"Any chance you get a fifth-generation aircraft like the F-22 training alongside the other fourth-generation aircraft like the F-15 as well as our (Airborne Warning and Control System) controllers and our Marine partners that are always here, it's a good thing."

Nahom said by the Bulldogs coming to a well-suited base with multiple assets like Kadena, Airmen from the 18th Wing have developed a better relationship with its PACAF sister base, while demonstrating the abilities of the Air Force.

"The Airmen who have been training alongside the F-22 crews have done a fantastic job," Nahom said. "We are an expeditionary Air Force, and very often we like to pick up other units and move them around, not only for the training value of it, but for the security it brings by showcasing the ability to move assets around.

"Having the Raptors here is part of the theater security package, but the added benefit of the training is fantastic," he continued. "I think we showed that we can move forces around the Pacific theater, even given the vast distances between the bases.

"Having the F-22s in town to fight and train with us has been a fantastic opportunity, and I hope it presents itself again soon," Nahom said.