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 exercise.

Capt. Rinch had suspicions about the unidentified aircraft, and reported the pilot wouldn't reply to any attempts to make contact.

"He wasn't broadcasting any FAA or DOD identifying signals," said Rinch. "He kept on his southerly course and had to be viewed as a threat."