LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
After 228 days in the making, the 94th Fighter Squadron and Aircraft Maintenance Unit "completed the fleet" of F-22A Raptors here.
Again.
Lt. Col. Kevin Fesler, 94th FS commander, landed the final F-22A Raptor June 5 marking a symbolic and rare day for the F-22 community and 1st Fighter Wing.
"It's not often that a fighter squadron and AMU have the opportunity to share the same tail number and squadron designation," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Wilder, Spad chief. "It was purely an opportunity knocking at the door to have tail 094 as the 94th FS flagship."
The idea was conceived in March during an F-22 working group at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where the group suggested Langley trade jets with the 90th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf - in order to have tail 094 in the 94th. With approval from Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces Command, the 1st and 3rd FWs traded Raptor 086 and 094.
"It's the opportunity of a lifetime to fly this plane," said Colonel Fesler. "The rarity of flying a tail that matches the squadron number will only happen once in my career."
The Spads' new flagship will reflect the quality maintenance accomplished every day on the flightline by every maintainer, said Chief Wilder. Raptor 094 will not only represent the 'Hat in the Ring gang' during deployments, air shows and tours, but will also represent every member of the 1st FW, said Chief Wilder.
Staff Sgt. Michael Volosky and Senior Airman Charles Diciuccio, the flagship's dedicated and assistant dedicated crew chiefs, respectively, agreed they may never have an opportunity to work on such a symbolic plane again in their careers.
In line with the Spads' history, which dates back to August 20, 1917, with World War I ace pilots such as Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and Maj. Raoul Lufbery and World War II aces 1st Lt. Donald Kienholz and Capt. Jack Ilfrey, America's First Team has accomplished another milestone.
"The significance is really about esprit de corps and squadron pride," said Colonel Fesler. "We're very proud of the 94th FS' long, rich history, and now we're able to add tail 094 to the impressive list of accomplishments attained by the AMU and fighter squadron."