Collier Trophy
8 June 2007: The joint contractor and Air Force F-22 Raptor fighter team receives the Robert J. Collier Trophy in ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The Raptor is specifically cited for its performance in the 2006 Northern Edge military exercise. The award, which is given annually by the National Aeronautic Association, is regarded as the most prestigious award in American aviation.
Virginia ANG Transitions From F-16 To F-22
20 June 2007: The 192nd Fighter Wing, the Virginia Air National Guard unit now at Langley AFB, becomes the first Guard unit to fly the F-22 Raptor. The unit transitions to the Raptor from the F-16 and moves from its former location at the Richmond International Airport.
Photo by SSgt. Samuel Rogers
Raptor 100
12 July 2007: The 100th F-22 (05-4100) is flown for the first time.
Photo by John Willhoff
Elmendorf Arrival
8 August 2007: Elmendorf AFB officially welcomes the first of its F-22 Raptor fleet as a six-ship formation lands at the base in Anchorage. The F-22s join the 3rd Wing and are assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron.
Photo by TSgt. Keith Brown
Combat Hammer Second TIme
5 August 2007: F-22 Raptors from the 1st FW participate in a second Combat Hammer Exercise at Hill AFB.
Ten-Ship Formation
17 August 2007: Raptor pilots with the 94th FS from Langley AFB fly a ten-ship formation in celebration of the squadron’s 90th birthday.
Photo by SSgt. Samuel Rogers
First SDB Drop
5 September 2007: Maj. Jack Fischer drops a 250-pound GBU-38 Small Diameter Bomb for the first time from a Raptor (Raptor 08) in a weapons separation test flown from Edwards AFB. The F-22 can carry eight SDBs with two AIM-120 and two AIM-9 missiles.
Photo by Darin Russell
First F-22 Unit For AFRC
2 October 2007: Air Force Reserve Command officially activates its first F-22 Raptor unit, the 477th Fighter Group (and the 302nd Fighter Squadron), at Elmendorf AFB. The 477th FG, which traces its lineage to the Tuskegee Airmen, is a Reserve Associate unit with the 3rd Wing at Elmendorf.
Photo by MSgt. Chance Babin
192nd FW Merges With 1st FW
13 October 2007: Members of the Air National Guard’s 192nd FW merge with the active-duty 1st FW during an official activation ceremony held at the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB.
Photo by MSgt. Carlos Claudio
50K Production Flight Hours For F119 Engine
18 October 2007: The Pratt & Whitney F119 engine exceeds 50,000 production flight hours.
Photo by Andy Wolfe
F-22 Training At Sheppard AFB
19 October 2007: The 82nd Training Wing, the Air Force’s maintainer schoolhouse at Sheppard AFB, Texas, opens a 120,000-square-foot facility.
Photo by Sandy Wassenmiller
525th FS Activated
29 October 2007: The 3rd Wing at Elmendorf AFB officially activates its second F-22 squadron—the 525th FS, known as the Bulldogs.
