Alaska's F-22s prepare for IOC

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - A 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief signal an F-22A Raptor laden with concrete bombs to begin its departure for a training mission Jan. 16. For the first time at Elmendorf, the F-22s performed a mock bomb drop over Alaska. This mission provides integral training for both fighters and maintainers in preparation to declare the unit's initial operational capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Airman 1st Class Jacob Dean, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, attaches fins to munitions loaded in the F-22A Raptor bomb bays. For the first time at Elmendorf, a mock bomb drop over Alaska Jan. 16 provides integral training for both fighters and maintainers in preparation to declare its initial operation capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Senior Airman Alexander Buck, 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, de-ices an F-22A while 3rd Civil Engineer Squadron Snow Removal flight sweep the runway of freshly fallen snow clearing the way for Raptor pilots to begin their daily sorties. For the first time at Elmendorf, a mock bomb drop over Alaska Jan. 16 provides integral training for both fighters and maintainers in preparation to declare its initial operation capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska - Heavy equipment, bombs and aircraft are covered with snow and frost as members of the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 90th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, systematically piece together the tools necessary to complete the F-22A Raptor payload. For the first time at Elmendorf, a mock bomb drop over Alaska Jan. 16 provides integral training for both fighters and maintainers in preparation to declare its initial operation capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Garrett Hothan)

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Alaska's F-22s prepare for IOC

Published Jan. 17, 2008