Touch down!

Stripped of a tail code and markings, but assigned to the 176th Fighter Squadron, Badgers, of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. The Viper made a high speed pass over the airfield.

About to touch-down at the Camp Douglas runway, impressive to be that close to a moving Raptor, it was only made with some 90mm. This Lot 8 aircraft of Fiscal Year 2008 was completed at the Lockheed Martin facility on 18 October 2009 and was delivered to the US Air Force on 2 February 2010. It showed a deviating part just in front of the canopy.

The squadron bird of the "Ironman" returning to its parking spot after a Northern Lightning 2017 sortie. The 71st Fighter Training Squadron flew the Talon from 2015 to 2021. Its mission was to conduct adversarial air training for the F-22sflown by the other squadrons of the 1st Fighter Wing. This training was previously performed by F-22s of the 27th Fighter Squadron at substantially more expense. In 2021 the squadron became a paper unit and was reactivated as a F-22A squadron in 2023.

This black Talon has quite a history. It started as a advanced jet trainer, moved to AMARG with inventory code AA TF0300 from 9 Mar'95 to 13 May'99, returned to Randolph and was selected for lease to South Korea. After that period, it returned to AMARG on 6 Jan'10 with inventory code AA TF0380. Returned to service on 23 Mar'11 and was first moved to Holloman's 49th FW, then to Tyndall's 325th Fighter Wing and later to the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB (VA). Moved to the 71st Fighter Training Squadron 'Ironman' at the same base (as pictured). Traded in its black c/s for a heritage c/s

Pictured during the first true 5th gen exercise Northern Lightning 2017. F-35s from Eglin and F-22s from Langley participated in the exercise. Here they are seen at the huge platform of Camp Douglas. In the far distance, the Lift Training Center can be identified.

On 3 September 2001, 78-0676 was destroyed when it crashed shortly after taking off from Nellis AFB. The pilot ejected and was rescued by a Las Vegas police helicopter. Photo by Thomas Hildreth.

Photo by Thomas Hildreth.

Photo by Thomas Hildreth.

"The Flying Yankees 1923 - 1993 70 Years of Global Power". Photo by Thomas Hildreth.