LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. —The F-22 Raptor hit a milestone of operational service at Langley Air Force Base on May 12, 2025. It has been two decades since the arrival of the Air Force’s first combat-ready, fifth-generation aircraft to the 1st Fighter Wing on May 12, 2005. The first operational F-22 Raptor delivery to the 1st Fighter Wing on this day signaled the beginning of a new phase in the U.S. Air Force’s combat capability.
Then-Lt. Col. James Hecker, commander of the 27th Fighter Squadron at the time, flew the first operational aircraft designated as ‘AF042’ from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia, to Langley AFB.
“Timing is everything. I wasn’t supposed to be the first F-22 operational commander. It was going to be a guy by the name of Lt. Col. Scott ‘Papa’ Maw, but then the airplane delivery date slipped a little to the right, another squadron became available with the F-15 Eagle, so he took that command,” recounted Gen. James Hecker, who ultimately went on to serve as the commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.
Hecker remembers how he found out he was going to take command of the 27th FS. “General Wolters, but at that time Col. Tod ‘Magoo’ Wolters, came up to me and told me that I was going to be lucky enough to command the 27th Fighter Squadron standing up the first operational Raptor squadron.”
Hecker highlighted the biggest thing for him was to surround himself with good people. “I was given great leeway with who I could hire. I hired the best of the best, people that had flown the Raptor before either in test or sometimes at Tyndall. I also got a great selection amongst the F-16, F-15E and F-15C folks too,” he said.
This was just as important for the maintenance arm of the squadron ensuring maintainers were trained to handle the unique demands of a stealth, fifth-generation fighter.
“Maintenance did the same thing. They handpicked some folks, and we started off small,” Hecker said. “The squadron, I think to start with was only about 10 people and then we grew as we got more aircraft.”
Hecker recalled the day he picked up the aircraft and acknowledged the importance of his team on the day.
“It was obviously an honor for me, but it wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for all the people in the squadron who prepared to make this happen. I remember going out there [Marrietta, Ga]. We took an F-15 out there, a guy by the name of “Corky” Corcoran was with me,” he said. “We signed over what they call a DD250, and it had a price tag on it. I've never written a check that expensive in my life.”
The F-22 is designed for stealth, speed and agility. Its introduction aimed to secure air superiority in contested environments. Since its operational debut, the F-22 Raptor has participated in numerous exercises and deployments worldwide.
“Twenty years later, it’s still controlling the skies,” said Col. Brandon Tellez, 1st Fighter Wing commander. “The F-22 continues to dominate requirements in high-end combat simulations and real-world operations. In that time the 1st FW has taken the Raptor to 20 different countries around the world.”
Tellez noted that the F-22 Raptor continues to maintain its relevance against evolving threats.
“Our adversaries have continued to improve their capabilities and tactics, but so have we,” Tellez said. “The F-22 remains the most capable air superiority platforms in the world and will continue to be vital for success for another 20 years.”
Over the past two decades, the F-22 Raptor has been a critical piece of U.S. air dominance supporting combatant commanders in various operations, including deterrence missions at home and abroad, lending to its enduring relevance of establishing air dominance anytime, anywhere.
Hecker pointed out the versatility the F-22 brings to the fight for current Combatant Commanders in multiple theaters. “In 2023, Langley [Air Force Base] with the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed a 12-ship into Poland,” Hecker said. “Then recently we got to go out to Australia, to help the INDOPACOM combatant commander. So, they know how to use it. They know how capable it is, but they also know that other countries are catching up and we have to continue to push forward.”
The 1st Fighter Wing is responsible for the full F-22 training pipeline for all new Raptor pilots through the 71st Fighter Squadron and 1st Training Support. The Wing also is responsible for providing two combat squadrons, the 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons. Altogether nearly half of the Air Force’s F-22 fleet resides in the 1st Fighter Wing.
“Langley has been the cornerstone of F-22 operations since the beginning,” Tellez said. “Our mission has always been to ensure readiness, and that continues today.”
Support for the Raptor mission includes maintainers, engineers, and logistics personnel. Tellez emphasized that the aircraft’s performance relies on coordinated efforts from across the wing.
“The Raptor’s capability and mission extends not only to the warfighter operating it, but also the entire team that sustains it,” he said.
While the Air Force continues to develop next-generation capabilities, the Raptor remains a central component of its air superiority strategy.
“I think the big thing is that the world is catching up. It is a little bit more of an even fight than it was 20 years ago, so we have to make sure we're working harder and continue to be the best at the business of what we do,” Hecker said.
The 20th anniversary of the first operational F-22 at the 1st FW marks a milestone for not just the aircraft and its community, but also for the U.S. Air Force, recognizing the contributions of all airmen who have supported the mission for the past two decades.