JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. -- JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – Over 70 members assigned to the 192nd Fighter Wing Maintenance Group and 149th Operations Squadron returned to Langley Air Force Base October 12, 2017, after a six-month deployment to the Middle East. During their deployment, F-22 Raptors participated in Operation INHERENT RESOLVE against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
“We’re proud of the work our Airmen have done and are continuing to do,” said 192nd FW Commander Col. Frank J. Lobash.
“These citizen Airmen are your neighbors in the community that, on a moment’s notice, get the call to serve our Nation. This is why we do what we do every day in the Virginia Air National Guard and keep our Airmen ready and trained to make the mission happen,” said Lobash.
The 192nd FW deployed together with personnel from the 1st FW’s 27th Fighter Squadron and the 27th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. The 192nd Intelligence Squadron supported the effort here, providing battle damage assessments and other intelligence to the team on the ground.
“When we go to combat, it is truly a total force effort with our 192nd FW partners,” said U.S. Air Force 1st FW Commander Col. Jason T. Hinds.
Some F-22s remained in Europe as part of the European Deterrence Initiative.
While in the Europe, the F-22s will also forward deploy from the United Kingdom to other NATO bases to maximize training opportunities, demonstrate our steadfast commitment to NATO allies and deter any actions that destabilize regional security.