Balloon Busters: The F-22 Raptors of Langley Air Force Base!
Recently, two F-22 Raptors from the 1st Fighter Wing at Langley Air Force Base made headlines for their involvement in the downing of a Chinese ISR balloon on February 4th, 2023, with the callsigns: “FRANK01” and “FRANK02”. This event has sparked a lot of interest, not only for its 105 year military significance, but also for its historical correlation to WWI hero, First Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr.
First Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr. was a pioneering aviator who served in the US Army Air Service during WWI. He was known as the “Arizona Balloon Buster” for his exceptional skills in taking down enemy observation balloons and earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery in battle.
Frank Luke, Jr. was born on May 19, 1897, in Phoenix after his family emigrated from Germany to America in 1874. Frank was the fifth child of nine. Following America’s entry into World War I in April 1917, Frank enlisted in the U.S. Signal Corps, Aviation Section on September 25, 1917 and attended pilot training in Texas and California. After being commissioned a Second Lieutenant in March 1918, he deployed to France for further training. In July he was assigned to the 27th Aero Squadron.
Between September 12 and September 29, Luke was credited with shooting down 14 German balloons and four airplanes. Luke achieved these 18 victories during just 10 sorties in eight days, a feat unsurpassed by any pilot in World War I.
Luke Air Force Base was named after Second Lieutenant Frank Luke (1897–1918). Lt Luke is a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient and the number two United States flying ace in World War I.
The callsigns FRANK01 and FRANK02 assigned to the two F-22 Raptors involved in the recent operation are a nod to First Lieutenant Luke and pay homage to his legacy as a pioneering aviator and hero. It is not uncommon for military units to adopt the names of historical figures to carry on their traditions and inspire their members.
The 27th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force 1st Operations Group located at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. The 27th is currently equipped with the F-22 Raptor. The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest active fighter squadron in the United States Air Force, with over 100 years of service to the nation. It was organized as the 21st Aero Squadron on 8 May 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. (Later redesignated the “27th Aero Squadron” mention above, that 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. flew with in his SPAD S.XIII).
The use of the F-22 Raptors in this operation highlights the advanced capabilities of this aircraft and its ability to carry out complex missions. The F-22 Raptor is considered to be one of the most advanced and capable fighter jets in the world, incorporating stealth technology and advanced weapons systems.
The downing of the Chinese ISR balloon by the two F-22 Raptors from Langley Air Force Base with the callsigns FRANK01 and FRANK02 has garnered attention not just for its military significance but also for its connection to the legacy of First Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr. This event serves as a reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of the pioneers of military aviation and the continued advancements in technology and capability of modern military aircraft.
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