JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. — In the high-stakes world of fifth-generation warfare, mission success can hinge on how quickly a fighter jet returns to the fight. For Airmen of the 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, that means being ready to generate combat power across platforms—not just the F-22 Raptor they operate every day.
A growing partnership between the Virginia Air National Guard and Vermont’s 158th Fighter Wing is building that capability by training Airmen to operate seamlessly across F-22 and F-35 aircraft, strengthening interoperability, readiness and future joint operations.
The goal is simple: ensure maintainers can recover, refuel, service, rearm and relaunch either aircraft—whether at home station or in a contested, remote environment. The effort supports Agile Combat Employment concepts and advances tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in dispersed, high-threat scenarios.
“I can’t think of two more experienced or better-prepared units than the 158th and 192nd Wings,” said Col. Timothy M. Strouse, 192nd Maintenance Group commander. “Leveraging our combined fifth-generation experience allows us to take the best practices from each airframe to prepare for contested operations.”
During the partnership’s initial phase in Burlington, Vermont, 192nd Wing Airmen spent four days immersed in F-35 operations. Tactical aircraft mechanics, aircraft armament systems specialists, aircraft ground equipment personnel and low-observable structures Airmen trained across a range of mission-essential tasks.
Training included launch, recovery and through-flight operations, along with hydraulics and engine oil servicing. Maintenance crews practiced hot-pit refueling and conducted preflight checks and safe-for-maintenance procedures. Weapons teams earned initial certifications in loading air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs, and 25 mm gun systems, as well as in installing racks and countermeasures.
Airmen also learned low-observable maintenance practices and the F-35 documentation process using the Autonomic Logistics Information System.
“The biggest difference between the F-22 and the F-35 would be the loading device that the checklist is on,” said Master Sgt. Pernell Davis, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron aircraft armament technician. “The checklist for the F-35 is more user-friendly than the one for the F-22. However, how you document your work is easier on the F-22.”
The exchange of knowledge was mutual. Master Sgt. Shawn Phillips, 192nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron tactical aircraft maintenance section chief, said the units integrated seamlessly, identifying shared equipment—such as oil servicing connections—that will be critical during joint deployments.
“Teamwork. Working together, we can accomplish anything,” Phillips said.
The partnership’s impact extends beyond Virginia and Vermont. As the Virginia National Guard continues its State Partnership Program with Finland, familiarity with the F-35 becomes increasingly important. With the Finnish Air Force transitioning to the platform, Virginia Airmen are better positioned to integrate with NATO allies and operate in cold-weather environments.
Davis said he envisions a future where “teams from our NATO partners can come and train on all aspects MCA related” alongside Virginia Airmen.
“We take our partnership with Finland seriously and recognize that their transition to the F-35 is critical to their defense and partnership in NATO,” said Strouse. “F-35 has some of the world's most advanced Agile Combat Employment tactics, and it is critical that we continue to develop fifth-generation sortie generation tactics to better integrate with our FINAF partners.”
The next phase of the partnership will bring Vermont Airmen to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, where both units will integrate flying operations. Pilots will fly from each other’s bases and rely on cross-trained maintenance teams to generate combat sorties.
As the 192nd Wing prepares for future conflict, one lesson from Vermont stands out.
“Be open-minded and stay flexible,” Davis said.