U.S. Air Force officials are recommending that operational F-22 Raptors formerly housed in Florida be house at other bases across the country, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in Anchorage.
The announcement in mid-December comes in the wake of catastrophic damage to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida from Hurricane Michael, including hangars and fight operations buildings.
Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson said in a press release issued on Dec 7, “we have recommended that the best path forward to increase readiness and use money wisely is to consolidate the operational F-22s formerly at Tyndall in Alaska, Hawaii and Virginia, and make the decision now to put the next three squadrons of F-35s beyond those for which we have already made decisions at Tyndall.”
Wilson said the Air Force is talking with congressional leaders about this plan and will need their help for the supplemental funds needed to restore the base in Florida.
Before the storm, Tyndall AFB was home to the 325th Fighter Wing, including two F-22 squadrons, one operational and one in training. The base also hosts the 1st Air Force, the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, and the Air Force Civil Engineer Center.
