Reserve squadron brings flagship to Tyndall

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Air Force Reserve Command's 44th Fighter Group and Air Combat Command's 49th Fighter Wing, both from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., delivered five F-22 Raptors to Tyndall AFB on Feb. 5.

The Raptors are now assigned to Tyndall to be operated by the integrated 301st Fighter Squadron and 95th FS. The 301st FS is a detachment of the 44th FG.

"The goal is for both the squadrons to attain initial operation capability as a team," said Maj. Derek Steneman, 301st FS Assistant Director of Operations and F-22 instructor pilot. "This is just one step in the process to bring the jets here and begin flying in order to execute the Air Combat mission."

The 301st FS's mission is to provide seamless integration with active duty counterparts to deliver combat air power for America.

"With these Raptors arriving, we gain the tools we need to execute the combat mission of the United State Air Force," Steneman said. "We need to get the jets here so the maintainers can have something to work on, prepare pilots for local flying operations and eventually prepare to deploy."

What is significant about this F-22 delivery is that the 301st FS's flagship arrived and is now here, said Steneman.

"It's a point of pride for all 301st FS and 44th FG Airmen to see our flagship here," said Lt. Col. Andrew Lyons 301st FS commander. "We take pride in having it parked next to our active duty counterparts' squadron flagships."

Even though the 301st FS and 95th FS are different squadrons, they come together in support of the Air Combat mission.

"We wear different patches, have our individual identities and are ultimately two different squadrons, but we form a team with integrated personnel and a common mission." Steneman said.

The transfer of the jets is part of the 24 Raptors that are anticipated to be here by April and become combat ready in the summer.

"We look forward to an opportunity to be fully integrated with the 325th Fighter Wing and to focus on teamwork and partnership with our active duty brothers and sisters," Lyons added. "We continue to integrate with the aim to become fully operational in the near future."