Reservists with the 477th Fighter Group at JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, resumed F-22 flight operations after a standdown that lasted more than four months. They made their first flights together on Oct. 15 during the group’s monthly training weekend, which was the first time all of the group’s pilots and maintainers were able to train together since Air Combat Command lifted the F-22 grounding on Sept. 19. “The grounding period has been a difficult time for both man and machine. I salute each of you who managed to keep both your mission focus and your skill at high levels that enabled such a seamless return to [flight],” said Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander. The Air Force’s F-22 fleet was grounded in May 3 due to concerns over some pilots exhibiting systems akin to an insufficient oxygen supply in flight. (Elmendorf-Richardson report by Capt. Ashley Conner)
How Miss America 2024 Took the Air Force Somewhere New
Dec. 20, 2024
When 2nd Lt. Madison Marsh became the first ever active service member crowned Miss America on Jan. 14, top Air Force officials recognized a rare opportunity to reach women and girls who otherwise might not consider military service as an option.