News

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)

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise: Firemen successfully retrieve pilot
October 2, 2024 — U.S. Air Force firemen from the 633d Civil Engineer Squadron simulate a pilot rescue during an aircraft crash exercise at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Oct. 2, 2024. The training reinforced their ability to respond quickly and efficiently during real-world emergencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Mikaela Smith)... MORE

Firemen surround an F-22 in stormy weather

JBLE Commanders take flight for their next mission
June 20, 2023 — U.S. Air Force Col. William Creeden, left, 1st Fighter Wing commander, takes a photo with Col. Brandon Tellez, 1st Operations Group commander, celebrating Creeden’s fini flight and his time as a leader at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, June 14, 2023. Creeden is responsible for one third of the Air Force’s combat F-22 Raptors, delivering F-22 air power globally, establishing itself through the work of 1st FW Airmen as the most capable and combat ready F-22 wing in the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)... MORE

Col. Creeden completes his fini flight with his family, friends, and fellow commanders.

The first FTU F-22s touch down at JBLE
March 31, 2023 — The first two F-22 Raptors, part of the incoming Formal Training Unit aircraft fleet, touch down at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Mar. 29, 2023. JBLE has been working hard over the last four years to prepare for the bed down of 30 additional F-22 Raptors and the establishment of the FTU. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)... MORE

The first two F-22 Raptors, part of the incoming Formal Training Unit aircraft fleet, touch down at Joint Base Langley-Eustis

F-22 Demo team flying in home skies
March 21, 2023 — U.S. Air Force Capt. Samuel "RaZZ" Larson, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team commander and pilot, flies in preparation for the upcoming Airshow, Airpower over Hampton Roads, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Mar. 17, 2023. Airpower over Hampton Roads will be the first airshow at JBLE in over four years and will be hosting multiple world class flyers from May 6-7, 2023. (U.S. Air Force video by Airman 1st Class Mikaela Smith)... MORE

1st Fighter Wing Load Crew of the Year Competition
January 23, 2023 — The 1st Maintenance Group hosted the 2022 Weapons Loading Competition of the Year at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Jan. 13, 2023. The competition tests Airmen’s ability to rapidly and efficiently load munitions onto an aircraft before takeoff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Olivia Bithell)... MORE

WSEP supports 94th FGS’s first MCA team mission
November 17, 2022 — Fighter generation squadrons across the U.S. Air Force are fostering Cross Utilization Training and the Multi-Capable Airmen concept as the service branch continues towards operationalizing Agile Combat Employment to ensure a sustainable force of Airmen and airpower at any time and any place. The 1st Fighter Wing out of Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, brought several Multi-Capable Airmen teams to participate in the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group’s Weapons System Evaluation Program-East 23.02, Oct. 31 – Nov. 9, 2022. ... MORE

Air Force Unveils New Airpower Ad in Theaters
May 9, 2022 — The U.S. Air Force plans to unveil their latest commercial titled “Own the Sky” in theaters during moviegoers’ long-awaited release of Top Gun: Maverick. The heart-pounding, adrenaline inducing ad gives the audience a sense of what it might feel like to be on the receiving end of the Air Force’s might and accentuates the importance of airpower in... MORE

Screenshot of a new Air Force ad called "Own the Sky" showcasing fighter pilots and airpower.

Flyby salutes Virginia healthcare, essential workers
May 14, 2020 — The Air Combat Command F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team and Air Force Heritage Flight performed a formation flyover throughout the Virginia peninsula, in salute to everyone on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19, as well as those staying at home to “flatten the curve” of the virus May 12, 2020. The formation was led by Maj. Joshua “Cabo” Gunderson, F-22 Raptor Demo Team commander, along with two World War II P-51 Mustangs piloted by Jim Beasley Jr. and Andrew McKenna from the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation. ... MORE

Raptor bird bath: contract gives time back to the mission
March 5, 2020 — The 1st Fighter Wing is responsible for one-third of the U.S. Air Force’s F-22 Raptors and the Airmen of the 1st Maintenance Group are responsible for maintaining them. However, in order to keep the aircraft mission ready, they must be washed regularly, taking time away from maintainers’ primary duties. ... MORE

Lanese Holiday, Shiloh Services Incorporated aircraft wash contractor with the 1st Maintenance Group, washes a U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, Dec 12, 2019.

QUICK LINKS

CAREERS

Contact Us

JBLE Jobs

JBLE ICE

SAPR | SHARP

Equal Opportunity

FOIA | Privacy | Section 508

Inspector General

JAG Court-Martial Docket

Link Disclaimer

No Fear Act

OSI Tip Line | CID Tip Line

Resilience

Join the: Air Force | Army

Benefits: Air Force | Army

Reserves: Air Force | Army

National Guard: Air | Army

Civilian Service