F-22 Unit Wins Raytheon Trophy

F-22 Unit Wins Raytheon Trophy: The 27th Fighter Squadron at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., has won the 2010 Raytheon Trophy, recognized as USAF's most outstanding air superiority squadron last fiscal year. The unit, known as the "Fightin' Eagles," flies the F-22; it's the first F-22 squadron to receive this award. "We are truly fortunate to have been recognized," said Lt. Col. Pete Fesler, the unit's commander. He stressed that the squadron would not have earned the prestigious trophy without "the daily contribution of all the airmen and civilians we worked alongside throughout the year." The unit will receive the trophy in May. Among its accomplishments last year, the squadron deployed for more than 200 days, including a stint in the western Pacific and participation—the F-22's first ever—in a multinational training exercise in the United Arab Emirates. The 19th FS won the 2009 trophy. (Langley report by A1C Jason J. Brown)

4/19/2011

On the Record

Mission One
"The health and safety of our pilots—all of our pilots—is our utmost priority. Our operational flight surgeons and our medical staff interact with our pilots on a daily basis."
—Brig. Gen. Daniel Wyman, Air Combat Command command surgeon, speaking to reporters during a teleconference, May 9, 2012. He was emphasizing that the Air Force is doing all it can to ensure the safety of F-22 pilots as service officials continue to home in on the cause of why some Raptor pilots have experienced hypoxia-like symptoms in the cockpit like difficulty concentrating, fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

On the Record

Message to Congress
"If you give us force structure back, give us the money, too. Because the quickest way I know to a hollow force is to give us structure without money. Simple as that. . . . 'Make it work' is not a satisfactory solution."
—Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz articulating his message to lawmakers on the Air Force's Fiscal 2013 budget proposal during a speech at the Stimson Center in Washington, D.C., May 1, 2012. The Air Force leadership has proposed reducing force structure and personnel next fiscal year in order to maintain a ready and capable force as the service absorbs significant spending cuts.