Elmendorf total force team completes F-22 evaluation

  • Published
  • By Capt. Torri White
  • 477th Fighter Group
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Eight F-22A Raptors and about 140 Airmen from here deployed to Tyndall AFB, Fla., Aug. 17-28 for a weapons systems evaluation program hosted by the 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron.

Pilots from the 302nd Fighter Squadron and maintainers from the 477th Maintenance Squadron in Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group teamed up with the 525th Fighter Squadron and 3rd Maintenance Squadron in the Regular Air Force's 3rd Wing to create a Total Force team.

The WSEP allowed the Airmen to experience live air-to-air weapons before going into combat. Each pilot got the opportunity to shoot live-fire missiles at sub-scale or full-scale drones. The pilots also had the chance to fire the 20mm cannon at a 40-foot banner towed by a Learjet. The aerial gunnery practice allowed the pilots to improve their shooting accuracy while testing the gun systems.

After the missions, experts evaluated the aircraft, munitions system, targets and banner. They also checked the aircraft maintainers for proper safety practices.

"This is the first time most of us have shot missiles or the gun in the F-22," said Maj. Wade Bridges, a pilot with the Air Force Reserve's 302nd Fighter Squadron. "WSEP builds confidence in the whole chain: pilots, maintainers, weapons loaders and the aircraft. It proves that our process works."

Despite multiple weather and scheduling challenges, aircraft maintainers worked around the clock to keep their jets in the air. They launched a total of 66 sorties on the schedule for the deployment, not including the deployment and redeployment sorties.

"Over the last two weeks, we've supported a very aggressive flying schedule, and we've had our challenges," said 1st Lt. Luke Stover, officer in charge of the 3rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron deployment. "I've had so many outstanding performers here it's hard to pinpoint individuals. Everyone has risen to the occasion and worked as a seamlessly integrated team."

"The crew chiefs make things happen day after day with a positive can-do attitude," said Chief Master Sgt. Steven Yost, 3rd AMXS deployed NCO in charge. "The weapons loaders have no margin for error working with live munitions, and they have proven they excel under pressure."

It took a Total Force Initiative to make WSEP become reality for the 525th Fighter Squadron.

"Team Elmendorf made this deployment happen," said Lt. Col. Chuck Corcoran, 525th FS commander. "That's the real story here. Without active duty, Guard and Reserve working together, this deployment might not have happened."

The 517th Airlift Squadron and Air National Guard's 249th Airlift Squadron supported the airlift for the deployment. Air Force Reserve pilots from the 302nd Fighter Squadron and maintainers from the 477th Maintenance Squadron accompanied the 525th FS and 3rd AMXS to WSEP.

The 83rd Fighter Weapons Squadron evaluated the overall deployment on aircrew participation, employment results, missile and gun participation, foreign object damage progam, housekeeping and maintenance.

"Our success - active duty and Reserve - at WSEP is a true testament that we are doing things right on our day-to-day missions at Elmendorf," said Col. Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group commander. "You fight like you train, and in this case, we were able to hit the bull's-eye!"  (Air Force Reserve Command News Service)