Posted on 07/10/2010 1:01:16 AM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Did you ever think the day would come when an Eagle would not be the most familiar sight in the Langley sky? Sadly, in the months to come, the very sight of an Eagle soaring across the Langley sky will soon become an uncommon phenomenon. Moreover, after a 34-year proud heritage, it is time for "the changing the guard" at Langley Air Force Base.
The mighty F-15 Eagle will step aside and allow the "new kid on the block," the F-22 Raptor, to don the crown and set in motion a storyline that will someday solidify its own place in history.
The ending of an era began June 21 as the last squadron of F-15 eagles readied themselves for deactivation. The first two F-15 eagles, brandishing serial numbers 82-0024 and 83-0026, departed for their new home at Nellis AFB, Nev. These are two of four F-15s the 71st Fighter Squadron will transfer to the 433d Weapons Squadron at Nellis.
The remaining F-15s assigned to Langley will begin leaving over the next three months for new homes with the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, the 142nd Fighter Wing at Portland Air National Guard Base, Ore., and the 159th Fighter Wing at Naval Air Station New Orleans, La. The last aircraft should go "wheels up" mid-September, closing the final chapter in the 1st Fighter Wing's F-15 history book.
The Eagle will truly be missed as part of the aircraft inventory here at Langley. In its maturity, the F-15 represented assurance and certainty for the 1 FW. When called, you could guarantee we would be there raring to go, ready to get the job done.
(Excerpt) Read more at langleyfighter.com ...
Ping
“The mighty F-15 Eagle will step aside and allow the “new kid on the block,” the F-22 Raptor, to don the crown”
Do you think all three of the F-22’s will be able to do the job.
Langley AFB is home to the F-22 Raptor Demo Team
I thought Obama and Gates had decided to kill the F 22.
The project has ended but there are are over 187 still in service.The purpose of the team,the team flies the F-22 Raptor at airshows around the globe, performing stunning maneuvers that demonstrate the advanced maneuverability of the F-22
Thanks.
No problem. The F-22 is a fantastic plane.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.