The first combat coded F-22 Raptor squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., reached initial operating capability with the arrival of its final F-22 earlier this month, officials announced. “We have all of our aircraft bed down, but we are still receiving operations and maintenance personnel in addition to a good amount of equipment,” said Lt. Col. Erick Gilbert, commander of Tyndall’s newly activated 95th Fighter Squadron in an April 21 release. “This is another milestone in the long journey of the 95th FS and team Tyndall towards realizing our ultimate goal of having a combat F-22 squadron, mission ready,” he added. Tyndall received the last of 24 Raptors transferred from Holloman AFB, N.M. on April 8. The unit is slated for a Combat Hammer weapon employment evaluation next month to “drop dozens of bombs amidst a robust training threat” in the work-up to full combat capability, Gilbert added.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth visited the site of U.S. Space Command’s future home Dec. 12 and endorsed the move to establish the headquarters in Alabama after years of political back and forth.
