F-22A Still Lost

The Air Force has yet to make contact with an F-22A Raptor fighter lost last night somewhere in the skies above Alaska, according to a service announcement released today. Air traffic control personnel at Joint Base Elemendorf-Richardson, AK, lost contact with the fifth-generation fighter during a routine training mission, according to the statement. Contact between the fighter and base personnel was lost around 7:40 p.m. Alaska Standard Time -- 11:40 EST -- last night, base spokesman Corrina Jones told The News Tribune in Tacoma, WA.

Members of the Alaska Air National Guard Rescue Coordination Center have deployed HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopters and an HC-130 King aircraft to an area northeast of Cantwell, which was the last known location of the aircraft, according to the statement. The aircraft was attached to the 3rd Wing stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.