The 2007 defense appropriations bill specifically prohibits the sale of the F-22A to “any foreign government.” The House had approved a foreign sales provision, but the House-Senate conferees stripped it from the bill. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said in July that he thought selling the Raptor to allied nations would be OK; however he said such a move would require much discussion both from a production standpoint and from technology transfer concerns.
Three B-1B Lancers from the 7th Bomb Wing flew over the Indo-Pacific alongside F-16s from the Japanese Air Self Defense Force recently, as part of a joint large force exercise. The mission began and ended in the continental U.S., as the bombers flew 31 hours and landed Jan. 11.