In mid September 2012, F-22 pilots and maintainers from JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, deployed to the western Pacific, joining an expeditionary contingent of Raptors from JB Langley-Eustis, Virginia, that deployed to the region in late July. The Elmendorf F-22s were flown to Andersen AFB, Guam, while the Langley Raptors operated from Kadena AB, Japan. The twin deployments are the Raptor's first to the region since the F-22 fleet returned to flight in 2011. The Elmendorf contingent included Airmen from the active duty 3rd Wing and Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group.
