An Alaska-based F-22 Raptor parks at Yokota Air Base, Japan, in January 2016. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Air Force’s most powerful stealth fighter will soar over New Zealand for the first time during the annual Warbirds Over Wanaka air show in April.
Pacific Air Forces confirmed Thursday that the supersonic F-22 Raptor will participate in the event, which runs from April 3-5 at Lake Wanaka in the South Island high country.
“This will be the first-ever visit by an F-22 to New Zealand,” the Hawaii-based command said in an unsigned email to Stars and Stripes.
Air show organizers announced Tuesday that the team would perform on all three days of the event, according to a news release.
Only 183 Raptors have been built since they first entered service in 2005, according to an Air Force fact sheet on the $143 million aircraft.
The fifth-generation fighter can outmaneuver all other aircraft, according to the Air Force.
An F-22 Raptor assigned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, lands at Royal Australian Air Force Base Tindal in September 2022. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)
“The F-22 engines produce more thrust than any current fighter engine,” the fact sheet states. “The combination of sleek aerodynamic design and increased thrust allows the F-22 to cruise at supersonic airspeeds without using afterburner — a characteristic known as supercruise.”
Raptors supported B-2 bombers that struck Iranian nuclear sites as part of Operation Midnight Hammer in June. Earlier this month, F-22s joined a fleet of American aircraft that dismantled Venezuela’s air-defense capabilities ahead of the capture of President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. Army Delta Force soldiers.
A Raptor will be flown in New Zealand by Capt. Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau, commander of the demonstration team, based at Langley Air Force Base, Va., according to the news release.
“Le Tourneau is an experienced combat-proven Fighter Pilot with over 550 hours flying the F-22 including multiple deployments to the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region,” his official biography states.
The demonstration team performs at major air shows around the world.
“To have them come here says a lot about how well regarded the Wanaka show is globally,” Warbirds manager Ed Taylor said in the air show’s release. “This is right up there with the biggest acts we’ve ever secured in the 38 years of our event.”
Two Raptors will make the trip to New Zealand and operate out of Christchurch International Airport, according to the release.
The airport supports New York Air National Guard LC-130 Skibird aircraft during the annual Operation Deep Freeze mission in Antarctica.
The Wanaka event will also feature New Zealand air force C-130J Super Hercules and P-8 Poseidon aircraft and numerous classic planes, according to the air show’s website.
World War II veterans that will fly during the event include the Supermarine Spitfire, North American P-51D Mustang, Grumman TBM-3E Avenger and Goodyear FG-1D Vought Corsair, the website states.
U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons and a KC-135 Stratotanker have flown at the event in past years. The Pacific Air Forces C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration Team has performed at every show since 2016, according to the command.
Beyond demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities, the F-22 team will connect with the community, build relationships and help inspire the next generation of aviators, the command said in its email.
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