477th Fighter Group Final Raptor flight for group commander

  • Published
  • By Air Force Capt. Ashley Conner
  • 477th FG Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Air Force Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander, flew his final flight in the F-22 Raptor here, Nov. 10, and left the unit, Saturday.

Air Force Col. John Hillyer, 477th Fighter Group, will lead Air Force Reserve Command's first Raptor unit until the new commander is named.

Overturf left his assignment with the Arctic Reservists to become the 442nd Fighter Wing commander flying A-10's at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Overturf took command of his new unit Sunday.

"I'm looking forward to being a wing commander, but my family and I will miss Alaska and all the people who made this such a great assignment, not to mention flying the Raptor."

Overturf said. "It doesn't get any better than flying the world's greatest fighter in our country's best military airspace over some of the world's greatest scenery".

When Overturf took command fo the 477th FG in 2007 there were only 20 people assigned to the unit.

The group has grown significantly and will continue to grow, Overturf said.
"The 477th Fighter Group currently has five squadrons and two flights with over 250 personnel assigned," Overturf said.
 
"We are adding a security forces squadron this year and are making plans to become a wing with subordinate groups in Hawaii and Guam, so we'll be hiring people continuously for the foreseeable future."

The 477th FG currently has pilots and maintainers integrated with the 3rd Wing's 90th and 525th Fighter Squadrons.

"The relationship between the 477th Fighter Group and the 3rd Wing sets the standard for Total Force Integration. Our Arctic Reservists are integrated in almost every facet of F-22 operations," Overturf said.
 
"We have participated in every deployment and exercise in Alaska. The Arctic Reservists bring the experience, longevity and continuity that the Air Force Reserve Command is known for. We are committed to supporting the 3rd Wing's mission to Fly, Fight and Win."