F-22 Scores First Combat Kill Against Eight-Engined Red Aircraft

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, AK - Captain Gary Rinch of the 622nd Fighter Wing can lay claim to the first combat kill with an F-22 fighter after shooting down what he described as "an eight-engined red aircraft" late last night.

The encounter took place on December 24th, at 2345 Alaskan Time, north of the Arctic Circle during a combat air patrol exer…