Alamogordo Residents Treated to F-22 Raptors Final Flight

Alamogordo residents had the rare opportunity to see four F-22 Raptors returning from their final tactical sortie over the Tularosa Basin Thursday afternoon.

The aircraft formation made two passes over the city before landing at Holloman Air Force Base.

“We want to express our sincere gratitude to the people of Alamogordo and the Tularosa Basin for their support and tolerance of our F-22 operations here at Holloman since 2008,” said Col. Andrew Croft, 49th Wing commander. “The outstanding community support we receive undoubtedly contributed to our F-22s’ successes worldwide and will continue to do so as we transition into training new pilots in the F-16 Fighting Falcon.”

The F-22 squadrons, stationed at Holloman since 2008, are relocating to Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

The last aircraft are expected to depart Holloman for Tyndall in early April. They will be replaced by two F-16 training squadrons and corresponding support and maintenance units relocating to Holloman from Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

The first F-16s will begin arriving in early April.