JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
As part of a centennial celebration, the 1st Fighter
Wing unveiled a monument at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Oct. 27, 2017.
The monument was about 9 feet tall, gray marble and inscribed
with significant dates in the 1st Fighter Wing’s history.
“This monument represents everything the men and women
of the 1st Fighter Wing have accomplished over the past 100 years and what they
continue to do on a daily basis,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hinds, 1st FW
commander. “We have a rich heritage and track record of excellence that our
Airmen celebrate and strive to continue as they work around the clock to
fulfill the nation’s Air Dominance needs mission. This monument will help remind us how
American airpower began, and how important the 1 FW is to that legacy as we
continue to conduct combat operations and begin our next century of being First
to the Fight."
With the monument unveiling, the 27th and 94th Fighter
Squadrons were given combat streamers to put on their guide-on. The combat
streamers were presented to recognize the two squadrons’ recent deployment in
support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
“Though this ceremony celebrated the centennial of the
1st Fighter Wing, it represented something much bigger that applies to the
whole of the United States Air Force — the beginning of American combat aviation,”
said Joshua Lashley, 1st FW historian. “The organization of the 1st Pursuit Group
is one of the most important actions in Air Force history.
According to Lashley, the heritage of the 1st Fighter
Wing is extremely important to the Air Force and this monument displays that
heritage and history for all to see. The
wing will never forget the hard work and sacrifices of those men and women of the
wing for the past 100 years.
The unveiling was part of a 3-day celebration honoring
100 years of air dominance.
The celebration began on Oct. 26, 2017, with a 1st FW
centennial dinning out, and continued with an open house, monument dedication,
family day and a 5k run.