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F-22 Raptor Marks 20 Years of Operational Service
May 14, 2025 — 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. ... MORE

OVER VIRGINIA -- Lt. Col. James Hecker flies over Fort Monroe before delivering the first operational F-22A Raptor to its permanent home at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on May 12. This is the first of 26 Raptors to be delivered to the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Raptor program is managed by the F-22A System Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Colonel Hecker is the squadron's commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)

1st MXS metal techs on deck to problem solve
July 11, 2023 — U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Steven Lynch, 1st Maintenance Squadron metal technician, uses a mill to retrieve a broken screw in a LAU-142 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, July 6, 2023. The LAU-142 is a piece of machinery within the F-22 Raptor that extends and retracts AIM-120 missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)... MORE

Metal Techs use a mill to repair F-22 machinery at JBLE

A legacy lives on
August 12, 2021 — “A legacy of valor” — A segment of the Airman’s Creed that all members of the U.S. Air Force have recited time and time again. While short, this phrase carries a monumental weight that members of the Air Force strive to live up to day in and day out... MORE

Individuals unveil the new name for a flight simulator.

CSAF commemorates victory at Yorktown with French allies
July 7, 2021 — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. and French Air and Space Force Chief of Staff General Phillippe LaVigne, gathered at the Yorktown Victory Monument today to lay a commemorative wreath marking 240-years of the siege of Yorktown... MORE

Metals Technology Sparks Innovation
November 20, 2019 — When fabricating ornate aircraft parts or repairing flightline support equipment, it is the mission and responsibility of the eight-Airmen metals technology flight to ensure aircraft readiness in a safe and timely manner... MORE

Metals technology Airmen use various tools to ensure each part they fabricate is assembled correctly and will safely support flight line operations and improve mission efficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zoie Cox)

Airman’s innovation sparks excitement for Raptors
November 18, 2019 — As the Air Force faces continued fiscal constraints the need for Airmen to be innovative in identifying and solving mission shortfalls keeps growing... MORE

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Daniel Caban, 1st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, stands in front of an F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 23, 2019.

Global reach powers air superiority
February 23, 2018 — A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 101st Air Refueling Wing refuels F-22 Raptors from the 94th Fighter Squadron over the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 22, 2018. This total force training mission involved an Air National Guard refueling team, base out of Maine, and an active duty fighter jet team, based out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. (U.S. Air... MORE

A KC-135 Stratotanker from the 101st Air Refueling Wing refuels F-22 Raptors from the 94th Fighter Squadron over the Atlantic Ocean, Feb. 22, 2018.

AOP breathes life into F-22 mission
January 17, 2018 — An aircraft is vital to the Air Force’s mission but it can’t do much without a pilot. The pilot is the brain of the aircraft and just like the human body, if the brain isn’t functioning correctly the body can’t work properly... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Crump, 1st Operations Group aerospace and operational physiology technician, test fits a mask onto Lt Col Samuel Mcintyre, NATO Allied Command Transformation deputy chief of staff military assistant, at 1st OG AOP, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Dec. 5, 2017. The department trains individuals to understand and recognize the symptoms they may receive while becoming hypoxic. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)

F-22s complete flying training deployment
October 24, 2017 — F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, completed a flying training deployment here from Oct. 8-19.While in the European theater, the F-22s forward deployed from the U.K. to Poland and Germany to maximize training opportunities, demonstrating steadfast commitment to NATO allies and deterring any actions that destabilize... MORE

An F-22 Raptor from the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia prepares to take off at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, England Oct. 12, 2017. The U.S. Air Force deployed F-22 Raptors, Airmen and associated equipment to RAF Lakenheath for a flying training deployment to conduct air training with other Europe-based U.S. aircraft and NATO allies. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Eli Chevalier)

Warfighters showcase mission to UFC athletes during moral tour
September 13, 2017 — Colby Covington, Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight division fighter, poses for a photo in the back of a CH-47 Chinook trainer at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sep. 7, 2017. U.S. Army Soldiers at the 128th Aviation Brigade use the CH-47 Chinook to train and learn how to properly use the equipment before flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by... MORE

Colby Covington, Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight division fighter, poses for a photo in the back of a CH-47 Chinook trainer at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sep. 7, 2017.

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