Alaska Reserve F-22 unit reaches FOC

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ashley Conner
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Speaking to members of the 477th Fighter Group during Sunday of the Unit Training Assembly weekend, Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander announced that the group had become fully operational capable.

"Fully operation capable means that we are ready and able to execute our wartime tasking," said Radliff. "With our combined unit inspection successfully completed, our manning sufficient to meet our UTC taskings, programs such as Key Spouse to support our families, an honorary commander to support our community and employer relationships, I am proud to declare the 477th Fighter Group Fully Operational Capable."

The 477th FG was reactivated at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska in October 2007 when the group became the Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22 Raptor unit and the only Air Force Reserve unit in Alaska. In September 2008 the 477th FG along with the active duty 3rd Wing declared Initial Operating Capability.

The 477th FG unit heritage can be traced back to the 477th Bombardment Group, a Tuskegee unit that didn't have the opportunity to become FOC. The 477th BG patch also wasn't officially recognized by the Air Force until July of this year when former Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz simultaneously recognized and retired the patch.

With the [Tuskegee Airmen] historical perspective in mind, I hope you can appreciate why recognizing FOC of the 477th is an important milestone, not only for us and our ability to serve the nation, but for the Tuskegee Airmen who were not able to reach FOC prior to the end of World War II," said Radliff. "We serve proudly to honor them.