LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
An integrated team of Raptor pilots from the 94th Fighter Squadron and 192nd Fighter Wing and more than 100 maintainers left Langley May 31 in support of the Weapons School Instructor Course at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
While at Nellis, the team will support the mission employment phase of the exercise.
The ME phase, the weapons school's graduation exercise, is the culmination of the students' six-month training course. The exercise integrates all platforms in a rolling wartime scenario that takes place twice a year.
This is the first time the 94th will provide Raptor support for ME, since the F-22 doesn't have a weapons school yet, according to Capt. Brian Budde, 94th A flight commander.
Integrating F-22s into WIC will not only benefit new instructors and their squadrons, but will also provide a training opportunity for Langley pilots.
Raptor integration exposes the combat Air Force's premier instructors to the capabilities of the F-22 in an operationally relevant environment, said Maj. Adrian Spain, 94th Fighter Squadron operations officer.
"This exposure allows [the instructors] to go back to their squadrons upon graduation and teach their folks the best way to integrate with F-22s in different tactical scenarios," the major added.
Additionally, by flying with the weapons school, 94th and 192nd pilots are exposed to the best instructors from every major weapons system in the Air Force inventory, Major Spain said.
"This provides a unique opportunity for our squadron to plan, execute and debrief with the best operators in the world, an opportunity not normally afforded to those not attending the course," he said.
The exercise also serves as another chance for active-duty and guard members to work as a total force.
"Integrating Raptors into the ME phase of WIC provides a unique opportunity to train as a composite force against robust air-to-air and air-to-ground threats in realistic wartime scenarios," Captain Budde said.