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Air Force cites progress on F-22 oxygen mystery

By Robert Burns
Published June 15, 2012 1:56am ET
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Air Force cites progress on F-22 oxygen mystery
FILE - In this April 30, 2012, file photo, an Air Force F-22 Raptor displays it's weapons bays as it goes through maneuvers during a demonstration at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va., Monday, April 30, 2012. Two members of Congress said Thursday, June 14, 2012, that new information provided by the Air Force shows an oxygen-deficit problem on F-22 fighter jets is worse than previously disclosed. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) | Steve Helber

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Air Force believes it is getting much closer to pinpointing the reason why pilots of its prized F-22 stealth fighters sometimes suffer an oxygen deficit during flight, a senior general said Thursday.

The problem prompted the Air Force to ground the aircraft for a period in 2011, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta last month ordered new flight restrictions after CBS’ “60 Minutes” program aired interviews with F-22 pilots who complained about the oxygen problem.

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