USAF Pacific Air Forces is sending 12 F-22 Raptor aircraft and approximately 190 Airmen from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Tindal to conduct combined exercises and training missions with the RAAF as part of the Enhanced Air Cooperation Initiative under the Force Posture Agreement between the United States and Australia.

The rotation of the aircraft is designed to modernize and strengthen the relationship between the forces, facilitate interoperability, exercise combined capabilities and increase regional engagement. Interoperability will extend to regional partners as the initiative progresses.

While at RAAF Base Tindal, the F-22 detachment, alongside their RAAF counterparts, will provide credible forces able to support a wide range of exercises or training activities.

This rotation of F-22 Raptors to RAAF Base Tindal marks the aircraft’s longest and most wide-ranging deployment within Australia, and will be the first time the F-22 has conducted combined training to this extent in the country. The F-22s will conduct integrated training opportunities with RAAF 75 Squadron F/A-18A/B Hornets along with ground assets and personnel. This activity is designed to enhance RAAF and USAF fourth to fifth generation integration, while introducing fifth generation operations and requirements to RAAF Base Tindal.