# News

## U.S. Air Force LogoUnited States Air Force

# 1st Fighter Wing deploys to United Arab Emirates

              - Published  Feb. 14, 2022
              - 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

**JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) --  **

A contingent of **27th Fighter Squadron** **F-22 Raptors**, and Airmen assigned to the **1st Fighter Wing**, **Joint Base Langley-Eustis**, recently deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.  Under the direction of the Secretary of Defense **Lloyd J. Austin III**, the mission will be to assist the UAE, one of the United States’ long-standing strategic partners, amid a series of recent attacks.  “This team of ready Airmen, ready aircraft, and ready logistics are always prepared to support our combatant commanders downrange,” said **Col. William Creeden**, 1st FW commander. “With the vital support of the 192nd Wing and the 633rd Air Base Wing, we were able to provide short-notice air superiority to **U.S. Central Command**.”  As the host wing, the 633rd ABW provides installation support to the 1st FW and 192nd Wing, and together they deliver air power and expeditionary Airmen around the globe.  “JBLE remains one of the nation’s premier power projection platforms,” said **Col. Gregory Beaulieu**, JBLE installation commander. “We are one team with the same end game — deliver combat airpower anytime, anywhere. And that’s exactly what we accomplished.”  With a mission that can take them anywhere in the world at a moment’s notice, JBLE Airmen maximize readiness throughout the year through training that replicates real-world scenarios. This mentality and ‘muscle memory’ ensures a ready force.  “We’ve been given a superb weapon system,” Creeden said. “But it’s the training, focus, and discipline of our Airmen that make it the most capable.”
Airmen with the 1st Fighter Wing board an Omni Air International 767-300ER at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Feb. 11, 2022, in support of a deployment to the United Arab Emirates. The strategic intent of the deployment is for the aircraft’s presence to assist the UAE against the current threat and act as a clear signal the U.S. stands with the UAE as a long-standing strategic partner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexandra Singer)
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Senior Airman Jared, mobility readiness spares packages journeyman with the 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, operates a forklift while Senior Airman Kashish, MRSP journeyman with the 633rd LRS, spots him at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Feb. 8, 2022, in support of a deployment to United Arab Emirates. A contingent of 27th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors, and Airmen assigned to the 1st Fighter Wing, JB Langley-Eustis, will assist the UAE against current threats in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabriel Macdonald)
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Second Lt. Marvin, 633rd Logistics Readiness Squadron cargo deployment function officer in charge, pushes against a cargo container at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., Feb. 9, 2022, in support of a deployment to United Arab Emirates. The Airmen and aircraft will assist the UAE against the current threat and act as a clear signal the U.S. stands with the UAE as a long-standing strategic partner. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gabriel Macdonald)
Photo Details /                Download Hi-Res Among that team of disciplined individuals are the Airmen of the 192nd Wing, who provide combat-ready personnel and equipment to support United States’ national security objectives when mobilized.  “Our Airmen couldn’t do this without the unwavering support of their families and our community,” said **Col. Christopher Batterton**, 192nd Wing commander. “This is truly a total team effort and integral to our partnership with the 1st FW and 633rd ABW.”  Creeden credits the Airmen and their ready mindset with allowing the wing to overcome the challenges of the large force movement.  “Anytime you need to move a force in a short amount of time, it requires a lot of coordination, communication, and teamwork,” Creeden said. “But it’s not a challenge when you have the team of professionals we do at JBLE.”  This includes the 633rd Medical Group, who despite the ongoing challenges from the **COVID-19** pandemic, were able to surge to ensure all Airmen met international testing requirements, to include a demanding testing protocol, and were cleared to deploy.  Beaulieu echoed the sentiment of a total force effort, “From the air traffic controllers and crew chiefs with the 1st FW and 192nd Wing, to the aerial porters and medics from the 633rd ABW, every single person played a pivotal role in this deployment. Getting the 27th FS out the door this week was one of the best examples of integration between the three wings that we’ve ever seen.”  As **Air Combat Command**’s sole F-22 combat wing, the 1st FW stays postured to achieve their purpose of air superiority, with an ‘adapt and win’ mindset.  “The Raptor is the most dominant air superiority air-to-air fighter in the world,” Creeden said. “However, its critical advantage rests solely with the Airmen who fly, fix, arm, sustain and enable it.”  The Raptor’s last deployment to the USCENTCOM area of responsibility was from June 2019 - Feb. 2020.

LRUSAFAFAir Force1FW27th FSJB Langley-EustisF-22 Raptor192nd WingPower ProjectionCombat Airpoweranytime anywheredeploymentUSCENTCOMAir Forces Central CommandACCAir Combat CommandAl Dhafra ABUAE633rd ABW