Washington: The whistle-blowing F-22 pilots will be safe and not face consequences for coming forward, according to the directive issued by the top leaders of the Air Force, a three-star general said Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger, the military deputy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, said the service considers the pilot duo who have refused to fly the Raptor to be whistle-blowers and protected under the federal whistle-blower act.
“My understanding is that the chief and secretary have issued direction that these individuals are protected,” Wolfenbarger said at a Senate Armed Services airland subcommittee hearing on tactical air forces.
The F-22 as grounded from May to September in 2011, since then 11 pilots and five maintainers have complained of hypoxia — oxygen deprivation that can result in dizziness, confusion, and, in some cases, unconsciousness — Air Combat Command spokesman Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis said.
Wolfenbarger said it is the Air Force’s position that the jet is safe to fly based on a list of risk-mitigation efforts and education and training on the jet.
“With recent data, we believe we are coming to closure on that root cause,” she said.
“But, that doesn’t mean we are done with all the activities to find that root cause,” Wolfenbarger added.
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