KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors from the 525th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf–Richardson, Alaska, with support from a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 909th Air Refueling Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, traveled to Clark Air Base, Philippines, to integrate and train with Philippine Air Force 5th Fighter Wing counterparts, March 13-14, 2023.

“This was the first time that F-22s, or any 5th generation aircraft, have landed on and operated out of the Philippines,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Karl Schroeder, a Raptor pilot assigned to the 525th Fighter Squadron. “This milestone with a regional ally aids in providing stability and security to the Indo-Pacific.”

The trip to Clark was accomplished with support from a small team of Airmen and a minimal footprint, exercising another primary focus of the U.S. Air Force, agile combat employment.

Day one kicked off with a lunch where PAF members introduced U.S. Air Force personnel to a spread of various traditional Filipino dishes. The cultural meal was followed by subject matter expert exchanges detailing the capabilities of each nation’s respective fighter aircraft, and a static tour of the F-22s, the KC-135 Stratotanker and the Philippine FA-50PH multi-role fighter aircraft.

The next morning, the F-22’s and two FA-50’s took off to engage in coordinated in-flight…