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F-22 Raptor Marks 20 Years of Operational Service
The F-22 Raptor hit a milestone of operational service at Langley Air Force Base on May 12, 2025. It has been two decades since the arrival of the Air Force’s first combat-ready, fifth-generation aircraft to the 1st Fighter Wing on May 12, 2005. The first operational F-22 Raptor delivery to the 1st Fighter Wing signaled the beginning of a new phase in the US Air Force’s combat capability.
As told by TSgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster, 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, in the article F-22 Raptor Marks 20 Years of Operational Service, Gen. James Hecker, at the time Lt. Col. Hecker, commander of the 27th Fighter Squadron, flew the first operational aircraft designated as ‘AF042’ from the Lockheed Martin facility in Marietta, Georgia, to Langley AFB.
“Timing is everything. I wasn’t supposed to be the first F-22 operational commander. It was going to be a guy by the name of Lt. Col. Scott ‘Papa’ Maw, but then the airplane delivery date slipped a little to the right, another squadron became available with the F-15 Eagle, so he took that command,” recounted Gen. James Hecker, who ultimately went on to serve as the commander of US Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa.
Hecker recalled the day he picked up the aircraft and acknowledged the importance of his team on the day.
F-22 vital for success for another 20 years
“It was obviously an honor for me, but it wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for all the people in the squadron who prepared to make this happen. I remember going out there [Marrietta, Ga]. We took an F-15 out there, a guy by the name of “Corky” Corcoran was with me,” he said. “We signed over what they call a DD250, and it had a price tag on it. I’ve never written a check that expensive in my life.”
The F-22 is designed for stealth, speed and agility. Its introduction aimed to secure air superiority in contested environments. Since its operational debut, the F-22 Raptor has participated in numerous exercises and deployments worldwide.
“Twenty years later, it’s still controlling the skies,” said Col. Brandon Tellez, 1st Fighter Wing commander. “The F-22 continues to dominate requirements in high-end combat simulations and real-world operations. In that time the 1st FW has taken the Raptor to 20 different countries around the world.”
Tellez noted that the F-22 Raptor continues to maintain its relevance against evolving threats.
“Our adversaries have continued to improve their capabilities and tactics, but so have we,” Tellez said. “The F-22 remains the most capable air superiority platforms in the world and will continue to be vital for success for another 20 years.”
Over the past two decades, the F-22 Raptor has been a critical piece of U.S. air dominance supporting combatant commanders in various operations, including deterrence missions at home and abroad, lending to its enduring relevance of establishing air dominance anytime, anywhere.
The Raptor mission
Hecker pointed out the versatility the F-22 brings to the fight for current Combatant Commanders in multiple theaters. “In 2023, Langley [Air Force Base] with the 94th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron deployed a 12-ship into Poland,” Hecker said. “Then recently we got to go out to Australia, to help the INDOPACOM combatant commander. So, they know how to use it. They know how capable it is, but they also know that other countries are catching up and we have to continue to push forward.”
The 1st Fighter Wing is responsible for the full F-22 training pipeline for all new Raptor pilots through the 71st Fighter Squadron and 1st Training Support Squadron. The Wing also is responsible for providing two combat squadrons, the 27th and 94th Fighter Squadrons. Altogether nearly half of the Air Force’s F-22 fleet resides in the 1st Fighter Wing.
“Langley has been the cornerstone of F-22 operations since the beginning,” Tellez said. “Our mission has always been to ensure readiness, and that continues today.”
Support for the Raptor mission includes maintainers, engineers, and logistics personnel. Tellez emphasized that the aircraft’s performance relies on coordinated efforts from across the wing.
“The Raptor’s capability and mission extends not only to the warfighter operating it, but also the entire team that sustains it,” he said.
Advanced Tactical Fighter
The Advanced Tactical Fighter entered the Demonstration and Validation phase in 1986. The prototype aircraft (YF-22 and YF-23) both completed their first flights in late 1990. Ultimately the YF-22 was selected as best of the two and the engineering and manufacturing development effort began in 1991 with development contracts to Lockheed/Boeing (airframe) and Pratt & Whitney (engines). EMD included extensive subsystem and system testing as well as flight testing with nine aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The first EMD flight was in 1997 and at the completion of its flight test life this aircraft was used for live-fire testing.
The program received approval to enter low rate initial production in 2001. Initial operational and test evaluation by the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center was successfully completed in 2004. Based on maturity of design and other factors the program received approval for full rate production in 2005. Air Education and Training Command, Air Combat Command and Pacific Air Forces are the primary Air Force organizations flying the F-22. The aircraft designation was the F/A-22 for a short time before being renamed F-22A in December 2005.
Features
The F-22 Raptor is combination of stealth, supercruise, maneuverability, and integrated avionics, coupled with improved supportability, represented an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities.
A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness, and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. The F-22 possesses a sophisticated sensor suite allowing the pilot to track, identify, shoot and kill air-to-air threats before being detected. Significant advances in cockpit design and sensor fusion improve the pilot’s situational awareness. In the air-to-air configuration the Raptor carries six AIM-120 AMRAAMs and two AIM-9 Sidewinders.
The F-22 has a significant capability to attack surface targets. In the air-to-ground configuration the aircraft can carry two 1,000-pound GBU-32 Joint Direct Attack Munitions internally and will use on-board avionics for navigation and weapons delivery support. In the future air-to-ground capability will be enhanced with the addition of an upgraded radar and up to eight small diameter bombs. The Raptor will also carry two AIM-120s and two AIM-9s in the air-to-ground configuration.
Photo credit: Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker and Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Weinberg / U.S. Air Force
