Florida Air National Guard Headquarters Detachment 1 F-22 Pilot

The mission of Headquarters (HQs) Florida Air National Guard (FLANG), Detachment 1 (Det-1) is to provide highly experienced F-22 and F-35 instructor pilots to support the 325th and 33d Fighter Wing missions. The primary mission of both wings is to train the next generation of fighter pilots for the Combat Air Forces. This mission is executed hand-in-hand with both the active duty and USAFR components, making HQ FLANG Det-1 one of the only true Total Force organizations in the fighter community.

Tyndall AFB, FL, F-22 assigned Det-1 currently consists of two members. Following the devastation of Hurricane Michael, the 325th Fighter Wing flying mission moved to Eglin AFB, while also continuing to train F-22 students in academics and simulators at Tyndall AFB. Both Det-1 members continue to serve critical roles for the 325th Fighter Wing, requiring one member to move to Eglin AFB. Det-1 led the transition to Eglin AFB, as the Assistant Director of Operations for the 43d Fighter Squadron, while another became the first-ever Air Force Reserve Component Director of Operations for the 325th Training Support Squadron. Det-1 spearheaded the revamp of the F-22 training syllabus, shifting the paradigm for future fighter pilots to accomplish all academic and simulator training prior to flying their first flight. In parallel, Det-1 led the coordination and set-up of the first two F-22 Weapons and Tactics Trainers at Eglin AFB, which has been vital for student training due to the separation of training capability between the two bases.

Eglin AFB F-35A assigned Det-1 currently consists of two members. Both members continue to serve in critical roles for the 33rd Fighter Wing. Specifically, Det-1 filled the 58th Fighter Squadron Tier 1 Weapons Officer position until July and then was hand selected as the Director of Operations for the 33d Operations Support Squadron. Det-1 has travelled extensively in support of active duty training missions. Integration with fourth- and fifth-generation assets during Large Force Exercises was the Capstone event for students graduating from the F-35A Transition Course. Overall, Det-1 F-35 instructors were instrumental in the creation of 58 pilots, eight instructor pilots, and WIC spin-up for two pilots.