A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor pilot navigates the flight line before takeoff at Langley Air Force Base, (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Derek Seifert)
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. – About 44 F-22 Raptor and T-38 Talon aircraft, along with 100 support personnel are being moved to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Ohio.
The order was given by Col. Pete Fesler, 1st Fighter Wing commander, due to potential high winds and flooding due to Hurricane Matthew.
“The re-positioning of our F-22s and T-38s is purely a prudent measure to safeguard a national-level asset that we are entrusted to operate and maintain for our nation and Air Force,” said Fesler. “Our associate partner, the Virginia Air National Guard 192nd Wing, is working side by side with our pilots and maintainers to make sure we get the jets moved.”
The 1st Fighter Wing will begin flying jets out Wednesday.
All wing aircraft are scheduled to arrive at Rickenbacker ANGB by Thursday afternoon.
The 633rd Air Base Wing commander is monitoring the development and forecast movement of Hurricane Matthew. As conditions change, updates will be made available.
