The first two F-22 Raptors arrived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Feb. 16 for their first overseas deployment. The remaining aircraft will follow in the coming days.
A software issue affecting the F-22's navigation system was discovered while the aircraft were en route to Kadena Feb. 10, which delayed the arrival for almost a week. F-22 engineers and maintainers rapidly updated the software and, after successful testing, the aircraft departed Hickam.
The Air Force is deploying 12 F-22 Raptors and more than 250 members from the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Va., to Kadena as part of a regularly-scheduled U.S. Pacific Command rotation of aircraft to the Pacific.