| | Wednesday June 19, 2013 |
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| Raptors return from successful space launch |
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Four Raptors returned here after circling the Space Coast prior to Atlantis' liftoff June 8, 2007. 11-06-2007 - LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. -- The F-22A pilots, assigned to the 94th Fighter Squadron, provided air patrol over the Kennedy Space Center and the greater Cape Canaveral area in support of Operation Noble Eagle before the STS-117 shuttle launch.
"It was a great experience and an honor to fly over the space shuttle and be a part of the event," said Capt. Brian Urban, 94th FS pilot.
The 94th is one of units throughout the United States that supports Operation Noble Eagle by providing Airmen and combat-ready aircraft to support and defend national assets as directed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD.
Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, 1st Air Force and Continental U.S. NORAD Region commander, said the Raptors are a significant deterrent force in America's air defense mission.
"The Raptor's speed, range, maneuverability and lethality are tailor-made for air defense missions that protect America's greatest assets," said General Morrow, "and NASA's manned space program is right at the top."
Although not in response to any specific threat, the sorties are an important element in the overall homeland defense mission.
Air defense sorties are carefully planned and closely controlled to ensure public safety while displaying NORAD's rapid response capability. The Continental U.S. NORAD Region, under its parent command NORAD, has conducted air patrols throughout the U.S. and Canada since the start of Operation Noble Eagle -- the command's response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (1st Air Force contributed to this article.)
Source: AF.mil
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo: Tech. Sgt. John Ferrara
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