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.

FMI: www.af.mil