Nellis prepares for arrival of Raptors

Monday, March 25, 2002 | 9:38 a.m.

Air Force officials announced the addition of 173 military positions at Nellis Air Force Base.

Nellis also is gaining four aircraft and losing one civilian position, the Air Force announced Friday.

Four F-22 Raptor aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Nellis in the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The aircraft will be used for operational tests and evaluation.

Nellis will be one of three Air Force bases that will permanently house the stealthy fighter jets, which cost $200 million each. Langley Air Force Base in Virginia will eventually have a wing of 72 Raptors, and Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida will be the headquarters for pilot training for the F-22.

Nellis will serve as the training facility for pilots who go on to become experts and instructors in flying the new fighter.

A fabrication shop, maintenance shop and parts warehouse have been constructed at the base to service the jets at a cost of $18.6 million.

The 99th Contracting Squadron will lose eight military and one civilian position due to workload adjustments, an Air Force announcement said.

Detachment 5 of the 607th Information Operations Group will gain nine military positions from the adjustments.

Air Force officials said that a total increase of 470 positions nationwide are expected, 299 military authorizations, 142 civilian authorizations and 29 drill authorizations.

The announcement covers the total force, including active duty, guard and reserves.