LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Pilots, crews and support personnel from the 94th Fighter Squadron geared up and took May 1 off for the Combat Hammer exercise at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
The departure marks the first time in two years the 94 FS took its F-22 Raptors to the exercise. Designed to test weapons systems such as precision-guided munitions, Combat Hammer also provides training missions that prepare Airmen for upcoming deployments.
"The commander of Air Combat Command orders every combat unit to an air-to-air or air-to-ground evaluation, exercise, and Combat Hammer is the air-to-ground evaluation for our squadron," said Lt. Col. Adrian Spain, 94 FS commander.
Spain said the event is significant as it provides a rare opportunity for F-22 pilots to deploy instrumented ordnance with real-time feedback, as opposed to simulated events at Langley.
"It's a test of our combat capabilities," he said. "The exercise is a huge benefit to the squadron, ensuring we are able to meet our combat taskings."
The week-long exercise validates the precision and reliability of weapons systems, giving the crew the opportunity to observe any possible deficiencies or problems in the equipment. The exercise marks the first time every pilot in the squadron, including Spain, will have the opportunity to drop live ordnance over land.
The evaluation begins on the ground, testing maintainers' and weapons systems Airmen ability to organize and install munitions and prepare the aircraft for launch. Pilots then take off on a simulated mission, striking designated targets using several ordnance platforms.
"We're excited about going out there and showing what the Spads can do, demonstrating that we're capable of exercising this part of our tasking at any time," Spain remarked. "I have no doubt we're going to go out there and execute."
The squadron is scheduled to return to Langley in late May.