HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawai'i — The U.S. Air Force plans to deploy two contingents of F-22A Raptors to the western Pacific in January for approximately three months.

Air Force officials in Hawai'i said today that a dozen of the fighters will deploy to Kadena Air Base, Japan, from Langley Air Force Base, Va. They say another 12 will deploy to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

The Air Force says the F-22A is a transformational combat aircraft that can avoid enemy detection, cruises at supersonic speeds and is highly maneuverable.

Military officials say the deployments are the latest example of the flexibility U.S. forces have to meet their commitments and security obligations throughout the Pacific region.