News

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.

Feb. 23, 2018

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — 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

.S. Air Force Maj. Paul “Loco” Lopez, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team pilot, completed a qualification performance for U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Holmes, Commander of Air Combat Command, to certify his capabilities as a demo team pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Dec. 18, 2017.

Dec. 21, 2017

F-22 Raptor Demo Team receive COMACC qualification

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — U.S. Air Force Maj. Paul “Loco” Lopez, U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team pilot, completed a qualification performance for U.S. Air Force Gen. Mike Holmes, Commander of Air Combat Command, to certify his capabilities as a demo team pilot at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Dec. 18, 2017.

U.S. Air Force weapons load crew Airmen from the 94th and 27th Aircraft Maintenance Units, compete in the 3rd Quarter Weapons Load Competition at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Nov. 3, 2017. Load crews supporting the 94th and 27th Fighter Squadrons competed to be the best for the 3rd quarter. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Carlin Leslie)

Nov. 7, 2017

94, 27 AMU Battle for 3rd Quarter Weapons Load Champions

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — The 27th and 94th Aircraft Maintenance Units each provided a three-man team that competed for the “3rd Quarter Top Weapons Load Crew” title at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Nov. 3, 2017.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Champ, 71st Fighter Training Squadron T-38 Talon pilot, boards an aircraft before flight at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Sept. 14, 2017.

Nov. 1, 2017

From aggressor to unmatched 5th gen aerial breacher

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — Air-to-air combat is fast paced and requires the right aircraft and a well-trained pilot. The pilot needs to have a fast reaction speed and the know-how to make the right decisions at the right time, which is why the some 71st Fighter Training Squadron T-38 pilots are selected to fly the very aircraft they oppose in their training mission, the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor.

An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., taxis at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, Oct. 13, 2017.

Oct. 20, 2017

F-22 Raptors deploy to Europe

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — F-22 Raptor aircraft from the 1st Fighter Wing at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia have deployed to Europe for a Flight Training Deployment (FTD) to conduct air training with other U.S. Europe-based aircraft and NATO Allies.

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 94th Aircraft Maintenance Unit and the 27th Fighter Wing finish inspecting an F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., June 26, 2017. The newly built sun shelters are equipped with lights that illuminate the entire aircraft during hours of darkness, allowing those working under them to have better visualization. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tristan Biese)

June 27, 2017

1st FW keeps Airmen, F-22s covered

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — While the 1st Fighter Wing is home to more than 1,300 Airmen and an abundance of aircraft reaching more than 12,000 flying hours each year, their top priority is the safety and well-being of those Airmen. With Airmen in mind, in April 2017, the 1st FW finished construction on 18 canvas-topped sun shelters. The shelters provide the maintainers, crew chiefs and ammunition Airmen protection from the sun. Also, they provide cover against the elements Virginia may throw their way to include rain, strong winds, hail, sleet and snow. No matter the weather conditions, the shelters help Airmen continue their work to keep the mission going.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hinds (right), 1st Fighter Wing commander, assumes command of the 1st FW during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., June 23, 2017. Hinds is a command pilot with more than 2,100 flying hours earned primarily in the F-22 Raptor and F-15C Eagle aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Derek Seifert)

June 23, 2017

1st FW welcomes new commander

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — U.S. Air Force Airmen and civilians from the 1st Fighter Wing welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony June 23. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Hinds assumed command of the wing which is comprised of six squadrons with more than 1,300 members who employ and sustain worldwide rapid deployment of over 40 F-22 Raptor aircraft.

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Kevin O’Hara II, 71st Fighter Training Squadron aviation resource manager journeyman, responds to an airfield radio transmission at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., June 16, 2017. Squadron aviation resource managers coordinate with several agencies including maintenance, weather and base operations personnel to ensure a smooth transition from the ground to the air and vice versa. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Areca T. Bell)

June 20, 2017

SARM: Keeping warfighters on track

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — U.S. Air Force F-22 pilots at Joint Base Langley-Eustis work closely with U.S. Air Force T-38 Talon pilots, who pose as adversary air, to improve their war-fighter capabilities. However, before pilots can perform their duties, they must sharpen their skills and ensure they have proper documentation before they fly. T-38 pilots assigned to the 71st Fighter Training Squadron rely on a 3-person team, known as the squadron aviation resource managers, who ensure they are “good-to-go” when it comes to being legally qualified to fly.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Patterson, 1st Maintenance Group weapons standardization lead crew member, and U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Russell Taylor, 1st Maintenance Group weapons standardization lead crew member, does checks on an AIM-9X missile before being loaded onto an F-22 Raptor, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., April 19, 2017. Before the AIM-9X, the F-22 had the AIM-9M which dates back to the Vietnam War. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Amanda Dole)

May 24, 2017

New missile pushes F-22 ahead of fight

JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va — In today’s war against ISIS, being accurate and effective are both key components in keeping Americans and their allies safe. To accommodate this the F-22 recently switched from AIM-9M to AIM-9X munitions, for a good reason, as the AIM-9M is an older missile, dating back to the Vietnam War, and has many countermeasures today.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Darshele Green, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team avionics specialist, assists a child while he tries on a pilot’s helmet during the 911th Airlift Wing's Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017 Air Show, at Coraopolis, Pa., May 13, 2017. Throughout the show, the demonstration team hosted a tent for spectators to visit and talk with members the team. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Kimberly Nagle)

May 23, 2017

Raptor Demo Team; Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017

Coraopolis, Pa. — U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Darshele Green, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team avionics specialist, assists a child while he tries on a pilot’s helmet during the 911th Airlift Wing's Wings Over Pittsburgh 2017 Air Show, at Coraopolis, Pa., May 13, 2017. Throughout the show, the demonstration team hosted a tent for spectators to visit and talk with