b'F-22 Raptor Makes Historic FlightWith Blue AngelsBy 2nd Lt. Samuel Eckholm633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs / Published May 03, 2019www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1834871/f-22-raptor-makes-historic-flight-with-blue-angels/In a historic moment for aviation, the F-22 Raptor F-22 Raptor piloted by a member of the Demonstration Team flew alongside the U.S. NavyAir Combat Command F-22 Demonstration Team performs aerial maneuvers during Blue Angels in a rare formation over the skies ofthe Arctic Thunder Open House at Joint Beaufort, South Carolina, April 25. Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The two aerial demonstration teams joinedU.S. Air Force photo by Alejandro Peatogether during the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort air show to showcase never-before-seen images of both the F-22 Raptor and F/A-18 Hornet.This formation represents more than justthe seven jets captured on camera, said Maj.Paul Lopez, F-22 Raptor Demonstration Teamcommander. It is a representation of theprofessionalism and excellence that every service member portrays in the United States military.The concept for this unique formation began as an idea between two former squadron-mates who both share a passion for aviation. Douglas Glover, 3G Aviation Mediaco-founder and the mastermind behindcoordinating this dissimilarformation, reached out toU.S. Navy Maj. Jeff Mullins,Blue Angels #4, about the possibilityof getting the two teams together.What started as a what if U.S. Air Force photosbetween myself and Blue Angels #4,took months and months of back andforth, matching aircraft capabilities to the images requested by both teams, Glover said.F-22 Raptor Demo TeamAll of the hard work, the late nights and theelevated levels of stress briefing a room full of topAir Combat Commandtier pilots was worth it when the ramp droppedwww.acc.af.mil/Home/Aerial-Events/F-22A-Demo-Teambehind the photoship, followed closely by the The F-22 Demonstration and Heritage Flight F-22 and the Blue Angels diamond. Team is stationed at the home of Air Combat Seeing the worlds premier fifth-generation fighterCommand at Langley AFB in Hampton, Virginia. alongside the iconic blue and gold of the U.S. NavyThe team flies the USAFs Lockheed Martin F-22 Blue Angels is a sight many wanted to see butRaptor at airshows around the globe, performing never thought would happen. The end result, sevenair maneuvers that demonstrate the superma-fighter jets from two separate services flying overneuverability of the F-22. These demonstrations the skies of South Carolina, involved a joint effortinclude the power loop, split, and tail slide, as well that will be cherished for years to come. as a high speed pass and dedication pass. These I would like to thank the maintainers that fix,maneuvers are based on those designed for com-service and maintain the aircraft. They are vital tobat operations, but are performed at much lower our mission and making a flight like this happen, Lopez said.altitudes than most pilots are certified to fly at.Flying alongside the Blue Angels was an incredi- The US Air Force approved the demonstration ble experience and seeing it all from the cockpit ofof the F-22 in 2007, replacing Air Combat the F-22 is something I will never forget.J Commands F-15C demonstration team. JThank You For Your Service Military Appreciation Resource Magizine 17'