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NEWS | Aug. 12, 2021

A legacy lives on

By Senior Airman Marcus M. Bullock 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

“A legacy of valor” — A segment of the Airman’s Creed that all members of the U.S. Air Force have recited time and time again. While short, this phrase carries a monumental weight that members of the Air Force strive to live up to day in and day out.

A legacy of valor is something that U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. (Ret.) John “Chubbers” Corrigan lived up to and exceeded during his lifetime. Corrigan may have passed away years ago, but members from the 1st Fighter Wing ensure his legacy remains by renaming the F-22A Flight Simulator at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., in his honor on August 6, 2021.

Corrigan started his Air Force career as a missile mechanical engineer before hard work and dedication earned him a pilot training slot.

Corrigan excelled in the early years of his aviation career as an F-4 Phantom and F-15C Eagle aircraft pilot. In his first fighter aircraft assignment, Corrigan upgraded to flight lead and instructor pilot and was even deemed the “best young fighter pilot in the 4th Tactical Fighter Wing” by his commander.

“John ‘Chubbers’ Corrigan, had an outstanding work ethic and set an excellent example for all Airmen,” said U.S. Air Force Col. William Creeden, 1st FW commander. “His efforts were crucial in establishing the foundation for 5th-generation air superiority, and the 1st FW would not be as lethal today without his contributions.”

Corrigan’s prior performance records allowed him to become part of the initial cadre of instructors tasked with bringing the F-22 Raptor Mission Training Center up to speed as the 1st FW and the 192nd Wing transitioned from the F-15 to the F-22 at then Langley Air Force Base in 2001.

While working at the F-22 Flight Simulator, Corrigan excelled in his knowledge of the F-22 systems. He helped lead all testing activities and set standards throughout the Combat Air Forces (CAF) for developing F-22 simulator mission files. These files were used as training standards across the Tactical Air Forces (TAF) F-22 simulators.

Corrigan penned syllabi and training manuals on basic and advanced integrated systems, navigational and combat avionics, allowing 1st FW and 192nd Wing pilots to gain initial familiarization with the F-22 before attending the Fighter Training Unit at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla. As a result, the program Corrigan created here was named after him, “Chubbers U”.

Family members of the late John Corrigan were in attendance for this momentous occasion, honoring the man and his achievements in bringing the 1st FW and 192nd Wing into the modern age of aerial combat.

“We want to thank all of the people involved to make this day possible for our family. It was an honor to know Tim, and it is so touching that you all loved him as much as we did, said Maggi Corrigan, Tim Corrigan’s wife. “He was always a patriot and loved the Air Force. He loved working with the pilots and doing whatever he could to keep them safe and keep them the top pilots in the world.”

Members will be able to walk into the Corrigan F-22 Flight Simulator and know its name reflects a man who helped pave the way for the assertion of air dominance.