The F-22 flagship for the 192nd Fighter Wing, the Virginia Air National Guard unit at Langley AFB, sported a blue nose in preparation for its annual joint Maintenance Professional of the Year Award Banquet, held in conjunction with Langley’s active duty 1st Fighter Wing on 12 March 2010. The F-22’s nose was prepared as a tribute to blue noses worn used during World War II by the 328th Fighter Squadron. Stationed in Bodney, England, during the war, the unit, nicknamed the Blue Nosed Bastards of Bodney, flew P-51 Mustangs and was led by Maj. George E. Preddy, Jr., the sixth highest scoring American ace (inset). Preddy recorded 26.83 victories in several Mustangs, all named Cripes-a-Mighty.
