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94th Fighter Squadron F-22 pilot claims Mitchell Trophy Air Race victory
The Mitchell Trophy Air Race returned on Mar. 6, 2025, at Langley Air Force Base (AFB), Va., with a modernization on aircraft, rules and eligibility requirements after its nearly 88-year hiatus. Lt. Col. “Devil” 94th Fighter Squadron commander, with support from the 94th Fighter Generation Squadron, took first place.
As explained by Tech. Sgt. Matthew Coleman-Foster, 1st Fighter Wing Public Affairs, in the article In Mitchell Trophy Air Race return; 94th Fighter Squadron claims victory, the 1st Fighter Wing exclusive rACE involved a 446nm flight from Langley Air Force Base, Virginia to Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan and then back after completing various ACE tasks performed by the pilots at Selfridge. The pilots were required to land, park, refuel and launch their own jet. In addition to this, the competitors were required to run 1.6 miles to the Selfridge ANGB Museum to sign a historical logbook.
Three squadrons within the 1st Fighter Wing—the 27th Fighter Squadron, the 71st Fighter Squadron, and the 94th Fighter Squadron—all competed for the rights of claiming the trophy. All three squadrons are some of the most storied fighter squadrons in Air Force history with lineage boasting names like Frank Luke, Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and Col. Robin Olds.
Col. Brandon Tellez, 1st Fighter Wing commander, said the race was strategically important in preparing Airmen for modern combat operations.
“The 1st Fighter Wing will face adversaries that are resourceful and determined to disrupt our tactics, techniques, and procedures in all phases of combat,” Tellez said. “Our warriors must be able to execute effective combat operations in dynamic environments that lack information and time.”
Designed to enhance combat effectiveness
The Mitchell Trophy Air Race with the new modernization due to time and advancement in aviation is specifically designed to enhance combat effectiveness and resilience by:
- Boosting performance through competition and camaraderie.
- Enhancing Agile Combat Employment (ACE) resilience via innovation and relationships.
- Testing physical, mental, and logistical limitations.
- Identifying the top talent in the wing.
The return to Selfridge ANGB for resuming the race was symbolic, with the 1sf FW marking a return to its historical roots of the event and paying tribute to the original home of the 1st Pursuit Group.
“The Mitchell Trophy Air Race is a proud tradition,” Tellez said. “It honors the heritage of our predecessors while ensuring our Airmen remain ready and lethal in the face of any challenge.”
Lt Col. “Devil” and the 94th Fighter Squadron’s victory highlighted not only their coordination skills and support from their Load Crew, but also the teamwork of the squadron. The team’s success showcased the effectiveness of integrated operations between aircrews and maintainers under realistic, stressful conditions.
As the Mitchell Trophy Air Race closed its latest chapter, it affirmed the values of innovation, readiness, and resilience that have defined the Air Force since its earliest days and continues to today.
Mitchell Trophy Air Race: the “Rising Sun”
Mitchell was a pilot in the 1st Pursuit Group during World War I and was tragically killed in a flying accident in 1918 in France. His brother, Col. Billy Mitchell, the country’s strongest advocate for airpower, introduced the Mitchell Trophy in 1922 in his brother’s honor to be awarded to the winner of an annual air race within the 1st Pursuit Group.
Designed by Adolph Weinman, the trophy titled “Rising Sun” depicts Helios, the Greek sun god.
The Mitchell Trophy Air Race was open only to 1st Pursuit Group pilots who met strict criteria, including having at least 1,000 flying hours and being a member of the group for at least a year. Lt. Donald Stace won the inaugural race in 1922, flying an MB-3 biplane with an average speed of 148.1 mph. The race was held twelve times between 1922 and 1936, with the final race marking the end of an era for the competition.
“The Mitchell Trophy Air Race was more than just a contest of skill; it was an embodiment of the 1st Pursuit Group’s commitment to excellence and innovation,” said the 1 FW historian. “The competition was fierce, and winning the race was one of the greatest honors a pilot could achieve.”
After 1936, the trophy was retired but made brief appearances in the 1960 and 1962 William Tell competitions. It was then forgotten until 1998, when it was rediscovered at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base.
1st Fighter Wing
The 1st Fighter Wing maintains and operates half of the F-22s in the US Air Force’s inventory at Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE). It deploys F-22 and projects air power globally on short notice to support Combatant Commander taskings while simultaneously maintaining, training, and ensuring combat readiness of F-22 Air Superiority forces.
This includes the 1st Operations Group’s three fighter squadrons (27th FS, 71st FS, 94th FS), an Adversary Air Squadron (7th FTS), a Training Support Squadron (1st TRSS), an Operations Support Squadron (1st OSS), and the 1st Maintenance Group’s five squadrons (1st MUNS, 1st MXS, 27th FGS, 71st FGS, and 94th FGS). The wing’s 2,212 Airmen execute an annual flying hour program of $750 million and sustain two airfields, conducting over 18,500 flight hours and 15,700 sorties with $12 billion in CAF assets.
In 2023, the 1 FW added the sole F-22 Formal Training Unit (FTU), responsible for cultivating America’s Air Superiority Professionals. The FTU cadre instruct and graduate fighter pilots with a thorough foundation of tactics, techniques, and procedures, in preparation to become Combat Mission-Ready F-22 pilots. The 1st Fighter Wing leads the way in combat capability and lethality across the globe, serving as America’s premier Air Superiority wing.
Photo credit: Senior Airman Mikaela Smith / U.S. Air Force
