U.S.A.F. F-22 Raptors Deployed to U.A.E.’s Al Dhafra Air Base

A contingent of 27th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors, and Airmen assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, recently deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.).

Under the direction of the Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, “the mission will be to assist the U.A.E., one of the United States’ long-standing strategic partners, amid a series of recent attacks.”

As the host wing, the 633rd ABW provides installation support to the 1st FW and 192nd Wing, and together they deliver air power and expeditionary Airmen around the globe.

With a mission that can take them anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice, JBLE Airmen maximize readiness throughout the year through training that replicates real-world scenarios. This mentality and ‘muscle memory’ ensures a ready force.

“We’ve been given a superb weapon system,” said Col. William Creeden, 1st FW commander. “But it’s the training, focus, and discipline of our Airmen that make it the most capable.”

Among that team of disciplined individuals are the Airmen of the 192nd Wing, who provide combat-ready personnel and equipment to support United States’ national security objectives when mobilized.

Creeden credits the Airmen and their ready mindset with allowing the wing to overcome the challenges of the large force movement.

This includes the 633rd Medical Group, who despite the ongoing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, were able to surge to ensure all Airmen met international testing requirements, to include a demanding testing protocol, and were cleared to deploy.

As Air Combat Command’s sole F-22 combat wing, the 1st FW stays postured to achieve their purpose of air superiority, with an ‘adapt and win’ mindset.

“The Raptor is the most dominant air superiority air-to-air fighter in the world,” Creeden said. “However, its critical advantage rests solely with the Airmen who fly, fix, arm, sustain and enable it.”

The Raptor’s last deployment to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility was from June 2019 - Feb. 2020.