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EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- The last production F119 engine for the U.S. Air Force fleet of F-22 Raptors has been delivered by Pratt & Whitney Military Engines.

"This is a bittersweet occasion for those of us who have played a part in 12 years of successful production deliveries," said Bennett Croswell, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The F119 production engine program might be ending but we look forward to a 30-40 year sustainment period in partnership with the Air Force to keep the fleet flying."

The F119-PW-100 turbofan is the first operational fifth-generation fighter engine in service in the world and the forefather of the F135 propulsion system that will power the the F-35 Lightning II.

The delivery of the 507th F119 took place Thursday at Pratt & Whitney's facility in Middletown, Conn. A ceremony was held to commemorate the occasion and was attended by representatives from the Air Force, Lockheed Martin and Boeing.

"We accept this last production engine today, but are looking forward to our partnership with Pratt &Whitney in sustaining the F119 in the F-22 Raptor for decades to come," said Col. Gregory M. Gutterman, F-22 program director, Fighters and Bombers Directorate, Air Force Materiel Command.