US Air Force
In April, an F-22 Raptor took off for the first time in more than a year after its landing gear collapsed on the flight line.
Virginia Air National Guardsmen oversaw most of the rebuild, which included a new landing gear, flight control surface for the right wing, and a new wing tip.
More than a year after its landing gear collapsed on the flight line at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, an F-22 Raptor took to the skies for the first time last month thanks to Virginia Air National Guard maintainers.
Airmen from the 192nd Maintenance Group were able to get the fifth-generation jet, tail number 85, up and running for its first flight back April 9, according to a news release.
More Than a Year After its Landing Gear Collapsed, an F-22 Is Back in the Air
Virginia Air National Guard airmen assigned to the 192nd Maintenance Group prepare to launch F-22 Raptor tail #85 April 9, 2021, at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. The team of maintainers rebuilt the fighter jet after a mishap upon landing in January 2020. (U.S. Air National Guard/Tech. Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham)
10 May 2021
More than a year after its landing gear collapsed on the flight line at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, an F-22 Raptor took to the skies for the first time last month thanks to Virginia Air National Guard maintainers.