High Alert - US F-22 Raptor Pilot Takeoff at Full Speed Headed to Qatar For the First Time

United States Air Force F-22 Raptors and airmen from the 1st Fighter Wing and the Virginia National Guard's 192nd Wing recently deployed to Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar from Joint Base Langley-Eustis. The F-22 deployed to Qatar for the first time in order to defend American forces and interests in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. Our airmen were fully involved in the entire process to generate, get out the door, as well as embedded throughout the deployed forces," said Col. Frank J. Lovash, Commander of the 192nd. We continue to enjoy a fantastic partnership with the 1st Fighter Wing and the 633rd Air Base Wing, and I am incredibly proud of the professionalism and dedication of each and every one of our airmen. Virginia National Guard airmen train and fight side-by-side, with active duty Air Force as part of the total force integration between the 1st Fighter Wing and the 192nd Wing resulting in efficiencies at Langley and the Virginia Air National Guard contributing to the Combat Air Force's warfighting capabilities. On behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I want to thank both of you for your leadership and would ask that you give my thanks to your units for the efforts all of you expended to ensure aircraft and the Virginia Air National Guard personnel were able to deploy on short notice and support combatant commander requirements for emergent operations, wrote Virginia Governor Ralph Northam in a letter to the commanders of the 192nd Operations Group and 192nd Maintenance Group. As the Commander-in-Chief of the Virginia National Guard, I couldn't be more proud of what you are doing and how well you represent us. Their efforts enabled U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors to deliver air superiority during combat operations and to against enemy forces.