Lt. Col. Phil 'Axl' Rose, 477th Fighter Group Operations Support Flight Commander, and Tech. Sgt. Ben Waxenfelter, 477th FG Crew Chief, prepare for launch during the 477th FG Unit Training Assembly Saturday. July's UTA marked the first opportunity since the group's activation in October 2007 that its Reservists were able to support, maintain and fly the F-22A Raptors. The 477th FG is the Air Reserve Command's first F-22 unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations. (Air Force Photo / Maj. Cary McPartlin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Staff Sgt. Eric Jagodzinski inspects the F-22A Raptor prior to launch during the 477th Fighter Group Unit Training Assembly Saturday. July's UTA marked the first opportunity since the group's activation in October 2007 that its Reservists were able to support, maintain and fly the F-22A Raptors. The 477th FG is the Air Reserve Command's first F-22 unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations.

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Production Superintendent Master Sgt. Scott Waugaman inspects a toolbox during the 477 Fighter Group Unit Training Assembly Saturday. July's UTA marked the first opportunity since the group's activation in October 2007 that its Reservists were able to support, maintain and fly the F-22A Raptors. The 477th FG is the Air Reserve Command's first F-22 unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations.

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Reserve pilots and crew chiefs from the 477th Fighter Group and an active-duty pilot from the 525th Fighter Squadron pose for a commemorative photo prior to launch during the group's first-flying Unit Training Assembly on Saturday, July 11. July's UTA marked the first opportunity since the 477th FG's activation in October 2007 that its Reservists were able to support, maintain and fly the F-22A Raptors. (From Left to Right - Lt. Col. David 'Piff' Piffarerio, Staff Sgt. Andrew Eichorst, Lt. Col. John Hillyer, Tech. Sgt. Ernest Kunde, Lt. Col. Phil 'Axl' Rose, Tech. Sgt. Ben Waxenfelter, Capt Chesley 'Hawg' Smith (525th FS) and Staff Sgt. Derrick Ocasio.) (Air Force Photo / Maj. Cary McPartlin)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Air Force Reserve Command's 477th Fighter Group Conducts Historic First-Flying Weekend

Published July 21, 2009
By Maj. Cary McPartlin
477th Fighter Group Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AFB, Alaska --
The 477th Fighter Group (FG) successfully conducted the first-ever all Reserve launch and recovery of F-22A Raptors at Elmendorf Air Force Base during the group's Unit Training Assembly, also known as Reserve "Drill" Weekend, on July 11 and 12th.

The weekend held special meaning for the 477th FG. It marked the first opportunity since the group's activation in October 2007 that its Reservists were able to support, maintain and fly the F-22s on the one weekend a month set aside for Traditional Reservists.

"Our group hit another historical milestone this weekend conducting our first-flying UTA," said Lt. Col. John Hillyer, 477th FG Commander, regarding the unit's performance. "Everyone pulled together to get the job done - it was a great team effort."

Saturday, the unit launched and recovered jets during a four turn four flying operation. Family members of the Reservists and employees were invited out to witness the historic morning launch.

A KC-135R from Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana supported the flying operations during the UTA. On Saturday, July 11, several spouses from the 477th FG and the 3rd Wing flew on the tanker for an orientation flight to watch the F-22s refuel in air. Later that week, several airmen and civilians from the two units were also given the opportunity to fly on an orientation flight.

Although this was the first all-Reserve launch and recovery here, Reservists from the 477th FG have been fully-integrated into Elmendorf's 3rd Wing since the group's activation in through what is known as Total Force Integration (TFI.) TFI enables Reservists, Guard and active-duty members to train and work together regularly to ensure seamless integration during real-world missions.

The 477th FG is the Air Reserve Command's first F-22 unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations. When fully manned in 2012, the group will provide a combat ready force of approximately 425 Airmen.

For more information and photos, visit http://www.477fg.afrc.af.mil.