Tyndall to Gain Squadron of F-22 Fighters

TYNDALL AFB — Tyndall Air Force Base will be getting an additional future F-22 Raptor mission, officials  announced Thursday, after the Air Force spent most of the summer evaluating the base and three other installations.

The news comes just months after the base started the drawdown of its two F-15 squadrons and follows efforts by Rep. Allen Boyd, D-Monticello, the Bay Defense Alliance and other community officials to secure a follow on mission at Tyndall.

“This is a remarkable achievement for our local community, and the members of the Bay Defense Alliance could not be more thrilled,” said Tom Neubauer, president of the Bay Defense Alliance, quoted in a news release.

When the Air Force announced in May that Tyndall was one of four bases being considered for additional F-22s, Boyd said that the new mission could bring up to 600 new jobs to the area.

“Ever since the introduction of the F-22 to Tyndall, the 325th Fighter Wing has had the responsibility for training the Air Force’s F-22 pilots," Boyd said in a prepared statement. "I am extremely proud to report that earlier this morning I received confirmation from the Air Force that Tyndall will be the recipient of an additional squadron of F-22 Raptors, ensuring the base will remain the preeminent air dominance training facility in our nation.”

Earlier this week, according to a news release, Congressman Boyd secured language in the 2011 Defense Appropriations bill directing the Secretary of Defense to “promptly replace aviation assets that have already been reduced.” In an effort to further demonstrate Tyndall’s superiority over other bases under consideration for F-22 training, the language urged the Secretary to expeditiously complete a cost-benefit analysis to determine which bases possess inherent advantages to F-22 training.

Tyndall currently has 29 F-22 Raptors assigned to the 325th Operations Group's 43rd Fighter Squadron as part of its F-22 combat training mission.

“This is great news for the Panama City area and for all of Florida,” Sen. George LeMieux, R-Fla., a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Service Committee, said in an e-mailed statement. “With more than 580 jobs expected as a result of this move, both the base and area residents will benefit. This operational squadron will complement the existing F-22 training squadron currently operating out of Tyndall. In addition, Panama City has the resources available to welcome the additional economic activity this move will bring.”