LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
The 27th Fighter Squadron honored a unit legend and recreated a piece of airpower history as they unveiled an F-22 Raptor bearing the iconic artwork of the "Maloney's Pony" in a ceremony in the squadron's hangar June 24.
The paint scheme applied to F-22 number 09-0174 is a mock-up of the nose art of the World War II-era P-38 Lightning piloted by the late Maj. Thomas E. Maloney, the highest scoring ace in 27 FS history.
During an attack a German supply train in France in August of 1944, Maloney crashed into the Mediterranean Sea; he spent 10 days evading enemy forces until rescued by French soldiers and returned to the U.S.
As Maloney recovered from his wounds in the hospital, Col. R.S. Richard, 1st Pursuit Group commander, decreed that any 27 FS aircraft bearing the number "23" would permanently be known as "Maloney's Pony," the colorful moniker Maloney chose for his P-38.
While modern fighters no longer employ that numbering convention, the 27 FS continued the tradition by decorating aircraft with the historic livery. The current incarnation represents the first F-22 to carry the art and name. To maintain the legend of "23," the number appears alongside the horse head artwork. In addition to the insignia, the Raptor features hand-crafted intake covers featuring the emblem and name of the fighter.
Rick Maloney, the late pilot's son, traveled with his family from Cushing, Okla., to attend the ceremony and participate in the unveiling. He joined Lt. Col. Jason Hinds, 27 FS director of operations and "Maloney's Pony" pilot, and the fighter's crewmen to remove the yellow banner, revealing the distinctive, yet modernized pony logo and typeface emblazoned in grayscale on the Raptor's left side to match the plane's stealth exterior.
"It's marvelous to see this amazing machine these guys are operating, and it's an indescribable honor to see my father's legacy carried on into the next generation," Maloney said.
Lt. Col. Pete Fesler, 27 FS commander, commended the efforts of the squadron and the 1st Fighter Wing Association, whose historical research and fundraising efforts made the presentation possible.
"Our squadron heritage is incredibly important, as it gives us a connection to the past which provides solutions to problems of today," Fesler said. "Thomas Maloney is a legend to all the guys. The tradition died when we lost the F-15s, so bringing it back was the big thing for us."