TINDAL, Australia -- U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors, assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, approache a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker in order to receive fuel in the skies above Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal, Australia, March 2, 2017. Twelve F-22 Raptors and approximately 200 U.S. Air Force Airmen participated in the first Enhanced Air Cooperation, an initiative under the Force Posture Agreement between the U.S. and Australia.
This rotation of F-22 aircraft to RAAF Base Tindal marks the initial 5th Generation asset deployment of this duration and scope within Australia, and will be the first time the F-22 has conducted combined training to this extent in the country. This activity will vastly enhance RAAF and USAF 4th to 5th Generation integration, while introducing 5th Generation operations and requirements to RAAF Tindal.