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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.
Become a member!
COMACC Announces William Tell 2023 (WT23)
70 years ago we lost our last American soldier killed from an attack by a manned enemy aircraft. It is fitting that General Mark Kelly formally announced the first William Tell Air-Air Superiority Competition in nearly 20 years.
SAVE THE DATES: 9 - 16 Sep 2023 - Stay Tuned for specific opportunities to volunteer, sponsor, support and join us for WT23 fun in Savannah, Georgia!
The 1st Fighter Association is finalizing morale events logistics. After the teams arrive on Saturday, 9 Sep, we’ll host a private welcome event at Savannah Smiles Dueling Piano Bar downtown.
Throughout the week, there will be amazing events which will have been funded by sponsors, supporters and those who champion our aviation warriors.
To make it all happen, we still have to raise significant funds. Obviously, we hoped big defense contractors would hit the $500K budget... but the response has been light at best.
Thanks to many of our Association members who have encouraged their companies to support WT23, more have stepped up at the last minute to offer smaller amounts, but we need at least another $225K to make this work.
An independent, civiian company whose principals have been helping plan and execute the morale events decided to help raise the money.
They launched a crowdfunding campaign at www.SupportWilliamTell.com.
Together with the media company who built www.WilliamTell2023.com, they will drive a national, grassroots campaign to raise the money and donate it to help fund a Kickoff BBQ, Midnight Maintenance Sliders & Wings, Beer Garden, Awards Banquet and Golf Tournament, etc.
While it’s not a small chunk of change, the good news is this level of fundraising has been done within the same time window we have left.
The crowdfunding website ops team told us to get support up to $5K before we unleash the national campaign... we are 1/2 way there.
Please go to www.SupportWilliamTell.com, throw in at least $5, like, follow and share the page.
SAVE THE DATES: 9 - 16 Sep 2023 - Stay Tuned for specific opportunities to volunteer, sponsor, support and join us for WT23 fun in Savannah, Georgia!
The 1st Fighter Association is finalizing morale events logistics. After the teams arrive on Saturday, 9 Sep, we’ll host a private welcome event at Savannah Smiles Dueling Piano Bar downtown.
Throughout the week, there will be amazing events which will have been funded by sponsors, supporters and those who champion our aviation warriors.
To make it all happen, we still have to raise significant funds. Obviously, we hoped big defense contractors would hit the $500K budget... but the response has been light at best.
Thanks to many of our Association members who have encouraged their companies to support WT23, more have stepped up at the last minute to offer smaller amounts, but we need at least another $225K to make this work.
An independent, civiian company whose principals have been helping plan and execute the morale events decided to help raise the money.
They launched a crowdfunding campaign at www.SupportWilliamTell.com.
Together with the media company who built www.WilliamTell2023.com, they will drive a national, grassroots campaign to raise the money and donate it to help fund a Kickoff BBQ, Midnight Maintenance Sliders & Wings, Beer Garden, Awards Banquet and Golf Tournament, etc.
While it’s not a small chunk of change, the good news is this level of fundraising has been done within the same time window we have left.
The crowdfunding website ops team told us to get support up to $5K before we unleash the national campaign... we are 1/2 way there.
Please go to www.SupportWilliamTell.com, throw in at least $5, like, follow and share the page.
1st Fight Wing Change of Command
Colonel "Gringo" Tellez took command of the 1st FW on Jun 30th from "Tank" Creeden. The event was officiated by 15th AF/CC MGen Koscheski. Congrats Gringo!
Inaugural F-22 basic flying course for
71st Fighter Squadron
The 71st Fighter Squadron, a part of the esteemed 1st Fighter Wing, has recently achieved significant milestones in its operations. Notably, the squadron is currently engaged in training its inaugural group of F-22 student pilots through an intensive nine-month Basic Flying Course. This training program aims to equip the pilots with the necessary skills to effectively employ the F-22, marking a crucial step towards maintaining air superiority for the United States.
May 6th-7th, 2023
Thanks to all who came out for Air Power over Hampton Roads. Below are a few shots to enjoy.
This was the first time the 1st Fighter Association sponsored a flight line tent to share space with squadron snackos, wives clubs and maintainers.
We are thrilled to welcome 71 current & former 1st Fighter Wing members to our email distribution (appropriate # with IRON Standup).
This will give us the opportunity to share association updates with you as we expand our membership benefits!
SAVE THE DATE - Our next Association adventure will begin when we head out to Las Vegas to support the 27th FS / FGS at Red Flag from 20 - 22 July. As soon as we have more details, we'll send them out.
This was the first time the 1st Fighter Association sponsored a flight line tent to share space with squadron snackos, wives clubs and maintainers.
We are thrilled to welcome 71 current & former 1st Fighter Wing members to our email distribution (appropriate # with IRON Standup).
This will give us the opportunity to share association updates with you as we expand our membership benefits!
SAVE THE DATE - Our next Association adventure will begin when we head out to Las Vegas to support the 27th FS / FGS at Red Flag from 20 - 22 July. As soon as we have more details, we'll send them out.
A Couple other Dates to Save
These dates are not all in ink, but we are working with lead organizations to pin down details as soon as possible. Standby for words.
1st FW Change of Command - Friday 30 June
27th FS / FGS Red Flag Support - 14 - 15 July
71st FS / FGS Reactivation Celebration & 1st B-Course Graduation - 29 - 30 Sep
Final word of thanks to the 1st Fighter Wing Historian, Josh Lashley, for your tremendous support and effort helping us take our association to the next level. Here's to the future.
These dates are not all in ink, but we are working with lead organizations to pin down details as soon as possible. Standby for words.
1st FW Change of Command - Friday 30 June
27th FS / FGS Red Flag Support - 14 - 15 July
71st FS / FGS Reactivation Celebration & 1st B-Course Graduation - 29 - 30 Sep
Final word of thanks to the 1st Fighter Wing Historian, Josh Lashley, for your tremendous support and effort helping us take our association to the next level. Here's to the future.
1st FW Gets Approval For Special Paint Scheme
The 7 FTS (formerly the 71 FTS) flies over 300 sorties per month to keep the 1st Fighter Wing's F-22 pilots combat mission ready and prepared to deploy on short notice. To celebrate this tradition of professional Adversary Air, the 1 FW requested to paint a jet in an Aggressor's color scheme with 1 FW insignia. The Aggressor paint scheme is designed from a Su-27 paint scheme. Their goal was twofold: First, they designed a paint scheme that celebrates their aircraft's heritage and points to the service their Wing provides to combatant commanders around the globe. Second, they designed a jet that visually shows their core mission to anyone who sees the jet across North America. The 1 FW is frequently approached for help with static displays at airshows around the United States and Canada. Sending a 1 FW T-38 with an Aggressor paint scheme visually demonstrates the mission and role that T-38s play in the world's most advanced air superiority fighter training.
Southern France Heritage Experience
The association is finalizing South of France Heritage Experience details for approximately 20-30 April, 2023. We have commitments from several association members to attend. Our French host is lining up exciting excursions to 1st Fighter historical sites (in addition to wineries and other cool tourist spots).
This includes an optional few days to the Island of Corsica with historians who will take us to airfields and other unique places where our WW2 members served.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Buick Olds (steve.olds@patriotmission.com) ASAP. You can hold space for a period of time with no cancellation penalty.
This includes an optional few days to the Island of Corsica with historians who will take us to airfields and other unique places where our WW2 members served.
If you are interested in learning more, please contact Buick Olds (steve.olds@patriotmission.com) ASAP. You can hold space for a period of time with no cancellation penalty.
1st Fighter Association’s 2022 Reunion 6-8 May 2022
1st Fighter Association Reunion was held in Newport News, Virginia on May 5-8, 2022. Thursday members attended a social at the Marriott City Center sponsored by Lockheed Martin. Friday started with a group photo in front of "Balls 55". The group then went to the OSS briefing room in the original 27th TFS/AMU building for 1st Fighter Wing and 192nd Wing Mission Briefings/1FW Deployment Update. The mission briefings included an unclassified intel briefing regarding the current situation in the Ukraine, an Operation Desert Strom briefing with several Association members participating including Maj. Gen. (ret.) Greg “Beast” Feest telling his story of being the first to strike with the F-117 on night 1. Lunch was held at the Langley Club. In the afternoon a dedication to our last WWII veteran Felix Pasteris was held. It included a plaque being presented to the 27th FS maintenance group by Felix’s daughter, and a renaming of the 27th Heritage Room to the "Felix Pasteris Heritage Room". An identical plaque was also presented to Felix’s family. It was followed by a burger burn in the 27th FS Maintenance area and new Felix Pasteris Heritage Room. Saturday, the reunion reception and dinner was held at the Marriott City Center in Newport News. The guest speaker was Dr. Coyt Hargus, Poli-Mil Advisor to COMACC.
Official 1st Fighter Association polo shirt w/embroidered logo (short/long sleeve in your squadron color with call sign is encouraged, as desired) -- see photo below. You may place your order through the local Islander Sports uniform business. Cost is ~$40, depending on shirt brand/sleeve length. Order online: www.islanderteamsports.com. Or call the owner, John Roberts at 757-868-8467.
1 FW Customized SwissPL Watch Opportunity
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:
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:
** Please call/email me if you are interested in ordering one of these customized watches.**
Rich “Moto” Shook, 757-344-7775
Rich “Moto” Shook, 757-344-7775
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.
Thanks very much--Moto.
