The Air Force’s single F-22 Raptor aerial demonstration pilot, Maj. Paul “Max” Moga, so wowed the air show circuit that AirShowBuzz named him the Person of the Year for 2007. The Raptor and Moga, says AirShowBuzz, became a “game changer for the industry. “Without a doubt, the Raptor demo brought even the most experienced pilots to a grinding halt as they watched Moga drive the F-22 through its powerful paces,” says AirShowBuzz.com. Air Combat Command gave formal approval last spring for a single Raptor and pilot to begin public demos.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.