US Air Force,
WASHINGTON: Air Force Reserve Command officials announced June 6 that a second F-22 Raptor fighter squadron will be established at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.
Reserve officials will relocate the 301st Fighter Squadron from Luke AFB, Ariz., to Holloman AFB and form a classic association with the active duty's 7th and the 9th Fighter Squadrons under the 49th Fighter Wing.
“I am proud that the Air Force Reserve has been invited to participate in so many new mission areas and that we are here today, and included from the beginning, during the stand up of the F-22 at Holloman,” said Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, the AFRC commander.
As an associate unit, the Air Force Reserve squadron members will fly and maintain the aircraft with their active-duty counterparts. The 49th FW officials will own the aircraft.
Reserve planners expect to establish the 44th Fighter Group at Holloman AFB and assign 260 Airmen there by 2010.
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An F-22 Raptor flown by Col. Jeff Harrigian arrives June 2 at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. In addition to two active-duty squadrons, the Air Force will base an Air Force Reserve Command classic associate squadron at Holloman AFB to fly the fifth generation fighter. Colonel Harrigian is the 49th Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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“I believe that associate units, such as we have at Holloman, are the best way forward to maximize the Air Force's combat effectiveness and harness the inherent synergies we share between the active and Reserve forces,” General Bradley said.
The Air Force Reserve established its first F-22 associate squadron in October 2007 at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.
“We have partnered with Pacific Air Forces during the stand up at Elmendorf, and I would like a similarly successful stand up here with Air Combat Command,” General Bradley said. “The Air Force Reserve provides the world's best mutual support to the Air Force and our joint partners.”
The 301st FS was originally part of the “Red Tailed” 332nd Fighter Group of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. The squadron has an impressive combat heritage dating back to activation and combat service in World War II.
While the historical 7th and 9th Fighter Squadrons flew their combat sorties over the Pacific waters and islands, the 301st FS spent World War II in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operation.
