The dramatic "elephant walk" at Elmendorf Air Force Base was more than an impressive photo-op. Here's What You Need to Remember: Maintaining five, bigger F-22 squadrons instead of six smaller ones could help the Air Force to boost the flagging readiness of the overall Raptor fleet. Since becoming operational in 2005, the F-22 fleet on average has achieved roughly a 50-percent readiness rate -- one of the lowest rates of all U.S. fighter types. A U.S. Air Force wing in Alaska managed to launch 24 F-22 Raptor stealth fighters plus an E-3 radar plane and a C-17 transport, all in quick succession.