Replaces F-15 Team After Nearly Three Decades Service
The F-15 Eagle East Coast Demonstration Team, one of seven
single-ship demonstration teams assigned to Air Combat Command
(ACC), concluded 27 years of performance history December 1.
After averaging more than 30 air shows a year for about 4
million people in the four corners of the United States and
everywhere in between, the 20-man demo team stood down in order to
stand up the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team.
"This transition is healthy for the Air Force, and it's exciting
to pass the torch and conclude the history of the team and a
27-year era," said Major Jason Costello, the 15th and final F-15
East Coast Demonstration Team pilot at Langley AFB, VA.
Because there are now two full squadrons operating the Raptor
and only one squadron to fly the F-15 mission, it would be
difficult to sacrifice two F-15s each weekend to continue flying
demonstrations, said Major Costello. Therefore, it only makes sense
to embrace the new aircraft and highlight its capabilities
worldwide.
Major Paul Moga will be the first pilot for the F-22 demo team.
He is in the process of establishing a demonstration sketch for the
F-22 team. ACC officials will unveil this sketch at air shows
beginning in spring 2008.
Some of the highlights of the F-22 demonstrations could include
a max performance takeoff, fast passes, vertical climbs, and high
alpha loops with a horizontal turn then straight up and a back into
a loop, said Major Costello.
Until then, the F-22 demo team will do small demonstrations,
about five or six passes, around the United States to highlight
some of the aircraft's capabilities.
If those demonstrations are anything like ANN saw at Oshkosh this past
summer you definitely don't want to miss it!
To pay tribute to the F-15 demo teams' accomplishments, past and
present demo team members, local civic leaders and media were
invited for one last air show.
Amongst the attendees was General Frank Gorenc, former 1st
Fighter Wing commander and F-15 demo team pilot.
"We flew just before the Gulf War and right after," General
Gorenc said. "It was exciting because it was during this time that
everyone appreciated us. Military power had become evident, and the
F-15 was symbolic of that."
The air show was going to conclude with an aerial change of
command, in which the F-22 would join the F-15 and then the F-15
would pass the lead of the formation to the F-22, symbolizing the
change of command for the demo teams and the transition to an
exciting future of Raptor demonstrations. However, torrential
downpours ended the ceremony, and attendees exited the flightline
toward shelter.
The ceremony continued at the 94th Fighter Squadron hangar,
where retired General Hal Hornburg, former ACC commander, spoke on
the importance of the Air Force heritage in light of the F-15 demo
team's long-standing history.
Following, was the deactivation of the F-15 demo team and the
activation of the F-22 demo team by Majors Costello and Moga.
ANN salutes Senior Airman Heidi Davis of 1st Fighter Wing
Public Affairs.