The Air Force's first F-22 Raptor unit reached full operational capability (FOC) Dec. 12, said Gen. John D.W Corley, Air Combat Command (ACC) commander.

The announcement officially makes the Air Combat Command's 1st Fighter Wing, which has an Air National Guard associate unit, at Langley Air Base, Va., full combat ready.

The announcement means the F-22 is now ready for global engagement, said Lt. Col. Mark Hansen, ACC's F-22 integration officer.

"Crews are now [fully] organized, trained, equipped and ready for the joint fight," he said.

Since the F-22s reached initial operational capability two years ago, the 1st and the Virginia Air Guard's 192nd Fighter Wing have dedicated time and resources into finding how to best use and maintain the world's most advanced fighter.

The fighter has deployed and trained across the world to define and refine its capabilities and tactics.

The two wings will continue to baseline the F-22 so the rest of the fleet can learn from their experience, he said.

Even though the F-22 has reached full operational capability, airmen at Langley Air Force Base: will continue training to get better every day, said Col. Jay Pearsall, 192nd commander.

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