U.S. 27th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors Train with Australian Air Force in Florida
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F-22 Raptor fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force’s 27th Fighter Squadron joined the Australian Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, for Checkered Flag 26-1. The large-scale air-to-air combat exercise strengthened allied readiness and interoperability for future Indo-Pacific missions.
U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter jets assigned to the U.S. Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, trained alongside Royal Australian Air Force units during Checkered Flag 26-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, on October 22, 2025. The Air Force-led exercise, which also included U.S. Marine Corps aircraft, brought together more than 60 fighters and tankers to rehearse complex air-to-air engagements. According to Air Combat Command officials, the event tested integrated command-and-control procedures and advanced tactics designed to sustain coalition air dominance across the Indo-Pacific region.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft from the U.S. Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, takes off from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, during the Checkered Flag 26-1 air combat exercise on October 22, 2025. (Picture source: U.S Department of War)
Checkered Flag is one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest recurring air-dominance exercises, designed to integrate fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft in complex and realistic combat scenarios. The 26-1 iteration emphasizes multi-domain operations, command-and-control coordination, and coalition training to enhance readiness and ensure interoperability among U.S. and allied air forces. Although the U.S. Air Force has not released the full list of participating aircraft, previous editions of Checkered Flag have included contributions from the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations such as Australia, reflecting the continuing growth of international defense partnerships and their shared commitment to maintaining stability and deterrence.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor remains the cornerstone of U.S. air superiority. As the world’s first operational fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter, the F-22 combines low observability, high maneuverability, and advanced situational awareness. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines, it can supercruise at supersonic speeds without afterburners. Its integrated avionics and sensor fusion systems allow pilots to detect, track, and engage enemy aircraft long before being detected themselves, ensuring an unmatched advantage in aerial combat. Armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, along with an internal M61A2 20mm cannon, the F-22 continues to define the standards of modern air dominance.
Australia and the United States maintain a deep defense relationship rooted in decades of military cooperation under the ANZUS Treaty. Joint exercises such as Talisman Sabre, Pitch Black, and Checkered Flag strengthen interoperability between the two nations and demonstrate their ability to operate effectively in coalition environments. The integration of Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force assets during Checkered Flag 26-1 underscores the strategic alignment between both countries in addressing shared security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.
The 27th Fighter Squadron, known as the “Fightin’ Eagles,” is one of the oldest active fighter units in the U.S. Air Force. Established in 1917, the squadron is part of the 1st Fighter Wing based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. It was one of the first units to transition to the F-22 Raptor, playing a leading role in air-superiority operations and advanced training. Today, the 27th Fighter Squadron continues to provide rapid-deployment capabilities and remains at the forefront of U.S. Air Force modernization and joint exercises such as Checkered Flag.
Checkered Flag 26-1 once again illustrates the U.S. Air Force’s emphasis on maintaining global air dominance through advanced training, joint-force integration, and cooperation with allied partners. Exercises like this ensure that American and coalition pilots remain ready to operate together in any contested airspace and reinforce the commitment to collective security in an increasingly complex global environment.
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F-22 Raptor fighter jets from the U.S. Air Force’s 27th Fighter Squadron joined the Australian Air Force at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, for Checkered Flag 26-1. The large-scale air-to-air combat exercise strengthened allied readiness and interoperability for future Indo-Pacific missions.
U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter jets assigned to the U.S. Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, trained alongside Royal Australian Air Force units during Checkered Flag 26-1 at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, on October 22, 2025. The Air Force-led exercise, which also included U.S. Marine Corps aircraft, brought together more than 60 fighters and tankers to rehearse complex air-to-air engagements. According to Air Combat Command officials, the event tested integrated command-and-control procedures and advanced tactics designed to sustain coalition air dominance across the Indo-Pacific region.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
An F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft from the U.S. Air Force 27th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, takes off from Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, during the Checkered Flag 26-1 air combat exercise on October 22, 2025. (Picture source: U.S Department of War)
Checkered Flag is one of the U.S. Air Force’s largest recurring air-dominance exercises, designed to integrate fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft in complex and realistic combat scenarios. The 26-1 iteration emphasizes multi-domain operations, command-and-control coordination, and coalition training to enhance readiness and ensure interoperability among U.S. and allied air forces. Although the U.S. Air Force has not released the full list of participating aircraft, previous editions of Checkered Flag have included contributions from the U.S. Marine Corps and allied nations such as Australia, reflecting the continuing growth of international defense partnerships and their shared commitment to maintaining stability and deterrence.
The Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor remains the cornerstone of U.S. air superiority. As the world’s first operational fifth-generation stealth air-superiority fighter, the F-22 combines low observability, high maneuverability, and advanced situational awareness. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney F119-PW-100 engines, it can supercruise at supersonic speeds without afterburners. Its integrated avionics and sensor fusion systems allow pilots to detect, track, and engage enemy aircraft long before being detected themselves, ensuring an unmatched advantage in aerial combat. Armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM and AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, along with an internal M61A2 20mm cannon, the F-22 continues to define the standards of modern air dominance.
Australia and the United States maintain a deep defense relationship rooted in decades of military cooperation under the ANZUS Treaty. Joint exercises such as Talisman Sabre, Pitch Black, and Checkered Flag strengthen interoperability between the two nations and demonstrate their ability to operate effectively in coalition environments. The integration of Royal Australian Air Force and U.S. Air Force assets during Checkered Flag 26-1 underscores the strategic alignment between both countries in addressing shared security challenges across the Indo-Pacific region.
The 27th Fighter Squadron, known as the “Fightin’ Eagles,” is one of the oldest active fighter units in the U.S. Air Force. Established in 1917, the squadron is part of the 1st Fighter Wing based at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. It was one of the first units to transition to the F-22 Raptor, playing a leading role in air-superiority operations and advanced training. Today, the 27th Fighter Squadron continues to provide rapid-deployment capabilities and remains at the forefront of U.S. Air Force modernization and joint exercises such as Checkered Flag.
Checkered Flag 26-1 once again illustrates the U.S. Air Force’s emphasis on maintaining global air dominance through advanced training, joint-force integration, and cooperation with allied partners. Exercises like this ensure that American and coalition pilots remain ready to operate together in any contested airspace and reinforce the commitment to collective security in an increasingly complex global environment.
