Alaska Aces Host 477th Fighter Group

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rhiannon Willard
  • 477th Fighter Group Public Affairs
ANCHORAGE, Alaska --  The Alaska Aces, the Anchorage professional hockey team, showed their support of the Air Force Reserve Saturday, March 14 by hosting the 477th Fighter Group, the Air Force Reserve Command's first F-22A Raptor unit and the first Reserve flying unit based in the Pacific theater of operations.

The men and women of the 477 FG are dedicated to their mission in recruiting, training, developing and retaining unrivaled Citizen Airmen.  This 477 FG appreciation event served as an opportunity to thank the military members for their contributions and for the Reservists to enjoy community events where they live and raise their families.

Reservists were given free tickets and family members were offered tickets at a discounted price.  Approximately 50 Reservists took advantage of the event.

Colonel Eric Overturf, 477th Fighter Group Commander, addressed the crowd of 5,974 in preparation for the ceremonial puck drop.

"Like the F-22 flying at super-sonic speed I want to see pucks flying past the Phoenix goalie all night long, " he announced.

The Alaska Aces sponsored a night full of 477 FG events. They displayed videos and photos on the Aces jumbo screen and allowed Air Force Reserve Recruiting Services to draw a raffle ticket for a snow board that was given to a lucky fan.

"Events like this highlight the presence of the Air Force Reserve in Alaska and reminds people that Reserve personnel are people, like you and I - they have families, go to work every day and watch hockey like anyone else," said Col. Overturf.  
 
The Aces broke a 2-2 tie with a one-timer from the left circle with19 seconds left in the game to give Alaska its fifth straight victory, 3-2 over Phoenix.