The 1st Fighter Association consists of present and past members of the 1st Fighter Group/1st Fighter Wing with the mission of preserving the heritage of the 1st Fighter Group/Wing. 

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Happy 100th Birthday Felix Pasteris!

1st Fighter Association Charter member, Felix Pasteris was stationed in North Africa and Italy from 1943 until the end of the war. He was a Crew Chief on the P-38 Lightning "Shoot You're Fired" in the 27th FS. Felix grew up in Joliet, Illinois. He enlisted when he was 19 years old. Felix got out as a TSgt and moved back to Joliet where he met his wife Helen. Felix and Helen were married for 70 years before she passed away. One of his favorite war stories is about how the P-38 had no heat, so the pilot would take a few beers or ice cream with him in the map box. By the time he got back it would be good and cold and they would debrief over ice cream or beer. Felix currently resides with his daughter in Chagrin Falls, Ohio and is hoping his health holds out long enough for him to attend the reunion in October.  

Randy Dodge represented the association at Felix's birthday party.  Thanks Randy!

1st Fighter Association Reunion Announced

Please mark you calendars for our bi-annual 1st Fighter Association Reunion to be held in Newport News, Virginia on 28-31 October 2021.  
 
We have secured an initial block of rooms (20) at the Newport News Marriott Hotel at City Center for a discounted group room rate of $96/night+14% tax.  Make your reservation by clicking the link at the bottom of this paragraph.
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Here’s the draft itinerary:
Thursday, 28 Oct:  Hotel Check In and Icebreaker Social at NN Marriott Hotel (1800-2100)
Friday, 29 Oct:  1st Fighter Wing Visits/Briefings, Desert Storm Panel, Catered BBQ and Heritage Room social event
Saturday 30 Oct:  1st Fighter Association Board meeting to elect new leadership team (0900-1000) and Reunion Banquet (1830-2130) -- Guest Speaker TBD.
Sunday, 31 Oct: Hotel Checkout
 
We will forward the reunion registration form with “landing fee” information and further event details in a few weeks.
 
Please help us spread the word to other 1FW alumni, especially those who haven’t yet joined our membership ranks.  
 
We’re really looking forward to seeing everyone in person again after the craziness of the past year!

1 FW Customized SwissPL Watch Opportunity 

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Moto was contacted by Alldaron Knewitz, Owner/Designer of the SwissPL Watch Company to gauge our interest in ordering a personalized version of his watch.  Each 1FW-branded watch is tailored to the owner featuring their name with rank and callsign, squadron patch, flight hours, wings, deployments, etc.  He will give the Association a 25% commission on each watch sold.  So I guess this offer could also be viewed as an Association fundraiser. 
 
The “base model” is about $1000.  Your final cost depends on which of several options (self-wind, back casing personalization, etc.) you desire.

Here is a link to his proposed design for our group and any active 1FW members:  
Since not every member is a pilot, I’m checking with him to see if options exist for other badges (like maintenance) or an F-15C silhouette/picture in lieu the pilot wings.  
** Please call/email me if you are interested in ordering one of these customized watches.**

1st Fighter Association Reunion Oct 17-19 2019

1st Fighter Association Reunion was held in Hampton, Virginia on October 17-19th, 2019. Thursday members attended a social at Langley Club’s Nose Dive Bar.  Friday members went to a combined mission briefings for both 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing (ISRW) and 363rd ISRW. Lunch was held at the Langley Club followed by a group photo in front of "Balls 55".  The group then went to the wing for 1st Fighter Wing and 192nd Wing Mission Briefings/1FW Deployment Update.  Then they got a close up look at the F-22 Raptor followed by squadron tours and a Roll Call at the 27th Fighter Squadron bar.  Saturday, the reunion reception and dinner was held at the Embassy Suites in Hampton VA.  Guest Speaker was Colonel (ret) Jon “Goldy Goldenbaum.

1st Fighter Wing Centennial Video​

Note From the President

We really need your help to grow our Association by reaching out to all former 1st Fighter Wing contacts you may know and encouraging them to join us.  Be sure to include our web site link: http://1stfighterassociation.weebly.com.  Please highlight the successful Centennial event and our recent Dayton Reunion as our “value-added” proposition for joining in order to stay connected with our robust alumni network.  We encourage the $250 “Life Membership” option but also offer annual memberships for $10 (Active Duty) or $20 for everyone else.  We are an all-ranks, inclusive organization and are moving forward with other exciting projects that will help preserve and honor our rich 1st Fighter Wing heritage—more to follow. 

​Thanks very much--Moto.