USAF Photos of the Day: O Raptor! My Raptor!

ChamorroBible.org ^ | July 16, 2010 | USAF MSgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald

[EnjoyingLife]

Photo 1: USAF F-22A Raptor stealth fighter jet peels away from the F-15C Eagle fighter to land at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, USA, 16 July 2010. Via http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20050822.htm (medium, large, huge)



Photo 2: F-22A Raptor and F-15C Eagle pull into a vertical climb over the Nevada Test and Training Range, 16 July 2010...see Photo 3. Via http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20050822.htm (medium, large, huge)


Photo 3: And they're still climbing high above the Nevada Test and Training Range, Nevada, 16 July 2010. Via http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20051129.htm (medium, large, huge)



Photo 4: USAF F-15C Eagle and USAF F-22A Raptor over the Grand Canyon in Arizona, USA, 16 July 2010. Via http://ChamorroBible.org/gpw/gpw-20060917.htm (medium, large, huge)


The Photographer 
Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald, United States Air Force  

[EnjoyingLife]

USAF F-22A Raptor takes off at RIAT 2010. Photo snapped by Mark Jayne. Via http://www.flickr.com/photos/markjayne/4812467846/

[MSF BU]

I am assuming that the AK and WA on the tail fins indicate Alaska and Washington ANG?

[Moose4]

Not necessarily, it’s a code that indicates the base they’re attached to if I remember correctly, it may correspond to the state but doesn’t have to. Most ANG aircraft have extra tail banding or insignia in addition to the USAF code.

}:-)4

[capt. norm]

There will be a brand new squadron of Raptors with the initials "TY" on their tails.

Tyndall AFB (Panama City, FL) has been authorized for one additional squadron of F-22's. Tyndall has been training Raptor pilots since the introduction of the F-22.

[Jaxter]

All I can say is Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald has an awesome job.

[FourPeas]

You’ve got that right.

[FourPeas]

*sigh*

How pretty.

[longfellow]

Makes your nipples hard, don’t it?

[Flightdeck]

Great plane. I am still impressed by the thrust-to-weight ratio implied by the F-15 in those pics, considering how heavy a plane it is.

[chris37]

AMAZING, AMAZING PHOTOS!

Beautiful subjects. The last picture of the raptor lifting off is breathtaking!

Thanks so much for posting.

[GourmetDan]

That looks like more fun that a person should be allowed to experience.

Talk about your ultimate hot-rod...

[OBXWanderer]

433 WPS

[KarlInOhio]

I am assuming that the AK and WA on the tail fins indicate Alaska and Washington ANG?

Air Force Magazine, May 2009 (partial). Look on PDF page 24 (page 53 of the magazine) for a list of USAF tail markings.

WA is for the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB, Nevada. AK is for the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.

[Sunshine Sister]

I agree. I absolutely love looking at pictures of American might. Go military!

[The Great RJ]

F-22 and a restored P-38

[Sunshine Sister]

WAY cool! Thanks for the picture. I almost hate to admit that I don’t know what vintage the P-38 is. I expect it is closer to WWII vintage than it is to the jet.

[steelyourfaith]

Awesome pictures.