First F-22 sortie for "Mr. Bones"

by Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/24/2014 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.  -- The 95th Fighter Squadron took flight for the first time Jan. 21, since its reactivation here in October 2013.

With the first group of F-22 Raptors delivered Jan. 6 from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Tyndall is becoming the world's largest F-22 contingent and preparing the "Boneheads" for the new combat mission.

"I felt extremely proud to be part of the first flight," said Capt. David Ruiz, 95th FS fighter pilot. "There have been a lot of people working together to achieve this milestone and resurrect 'Mr. Bones'."

The 95th FS and "Mr. Bones," the squadron's mascot, called Tyndall home for more than three decades before being deactivated in 2010.

"As 'Mr. Bones' would say: 'It's about time'," said Maj. Ryan Graf, 95th FS assistant director of operations. "'Mr. Bones' is now back on flying status."

Graf piloted one of the two Raptors which flew on Tuesday marking the 95th FS's first F-22 sortie.

"It was great to finally execute a plan that had been the culmination of hard work amongst several individuals and units," Graf said. "This was a once in a lifetime opportunity."

Ruiz was the other to take flight.

"I thought about all of the hard work that had been done by all the units here to make it possible to begin flying F-22s in the 95th FS," Ruiz said. "I feel honored to be part of this historic reactivation."

Now with the first sortie under the 95th FS's wing, the squadron can further the combat mission.

"Setting a goal of flying two aircraft, achieving that goal and getting outstanding training while airborne, tell me that this was a huge success," Ruiz said. "I expect outstanding work from an elite group of men and women to accomplish the missions, which we're tasked in the future."

By April, the last of 24 Raptors will arrive.

"Every segment of the sortie went as planned," Graf said. "Continuing the standard of meeting requirements, goals and expectations without fail will be expected."