HAMPTON, Va. — The U.S. Air Force has made Joint Base Langley-Eustis a candidate base for the Florida-based F-22 Raptor Squadron.
Joint Base-Langley Eustis is designed to accommodate three squadrons, but the base currently only houses two squadrons.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Air Force announced that it has determined Joint Base-Langley Eustis is the most suitable F-22 location to support Formal Training Unit operations. The Air Force will make its final basing decision following compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and other regulatory and planning processes.
The Air Force filed a notice of intent in the federal register, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, and an Environmental Impact Statement typically takes 24-48 months to complete.
The Air Force will begin conducting a site survey at Langley Air Force Base to ensure it meets all basing criteria before making a final decision.
Hurricane Michael devastated Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida which was the previous site of the formal training unit. The squadron was temporarily relocated to a different base in Florida until a permanent site could be found.
The permanent solution, which could be Joint Base Langley-Eustis, needs to address readiness and pilot production by ensuring the F-22 Formal Training Unit is set up at a location that optimizes readiness and supports the Secretary of Defense’s requirement to improve Mission Capability Rates to 80 percent.
PHOTOS: US Air Force F-22 Raptors
U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement after U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson announced that the Air Force recommends relocating the F-22 Flight and Maintenance Formal Training Unit (FTU) to Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Hampton Roads:
“We are pleased that after careful evaluation, the U.S. Air Force has determined that Joint Base Langley-Eustis should permanently house the F-22 training squadron. There is nowhere better to house these aircraft, the unit and supporting personnel and their families than Hampton Roads – a region celebrated for its defense assets and long history of strengthening our nation’s national security. We look forward to working with the U.S. Air Force and the Virginia Air National Guard as it moves forward with the relocation process.”
Congressman Rob Wittman also made a statement about the F-22 Squadron coming to Virginia:
“I believe that the Air Force is making the right decision by relocating the F-22 training unit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis Air Force Base. Langley-Eustis has the right space and existing infrastructure to allow for an easy, cost-effective transition as well as provide an ideal facility for training. The FTU was originally located at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Michael. Virginia has a long history of supporting our nation’s military, and we look forward to hosting this unit in Hampton Roads.”
Congresswoman Elaine Luria also celebrated the proposal:
“Joint Base Langley-Eustis is the perfect place to permanently house the F-22 training squadron. I was proud to advocate for the Hampton Roads region earlier this year because our military families and defense assets are second to none. There is no better place to support this critical national security mission.”