On exchange

Australia’s first F-22 pilot

While hundreds of pilots from a variety of different countries descended on Avalon for the Australian International Airshow 2011, RAAF SQNLDR Matt Harper has the coveted title of being Australia’s first F-22 Raptor pilot. Finishing up a three-year exchange with Alaska based 90th Fighter Squadron, Harper took time out from his busy schedule and sat down with fellow Raptor pilot, CO of neigbouring 525th Fighter Squadron, USAF LTCOL Chris Niemi, to talk to a small media contingent about his experience flying the world’s only operational fifth generation fighter.

Australian Aviation: Matt, what has the experience been like being on exchange with the F-22s?