Whisper of stealth announces Raptors

By BRENDAN WATSON
Published April 8, 2006

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LAKELAND - Civilians had never gotten a close look at the new F-22A Raptor, the best fighter plane in the world.

As two of the planes approached the runway Friday at the Sun 'n Fun Fly-in with a whisper - they could be seen long before they were heard.

Their power and agility were demonstrated when they peeled off and roared away.

"I got a lump in my throat when I saw those babies banking over there, and then cut off. You heard the roar. It was incredible, if you just looked up and saw them coming," said John Leech, an Orange County firefighter. "If you're a red-blooded American, this is what you love."

Once on the ground, the $339-million Raptors, which are equipped with secret stealth technology, were guarded by Lakeland police with semi-automatic rifles.

The Raptor has flown in domestic security missions, code-named Operation Noble Eagle, but the Air Force is mum on details. The Raptor eventually will replace F-15 and F-16 jets, though only 24 are operational.

It has not been deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq.

The Raptors will fly today and Sunday around 4 p.m., and will be on display on the runways. Call Sun n' Fun at 863-644-2431 or visit http://www.sun-n-fun.org/

To see a video of the Raptor, visit links.tampabay.com.