F-22 Demo Team: Pushing the Limits of Aviation in 2025
A symphony of controlled power and gravity-defying maneuvers, the United States Air Force’s F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team is once again captivating audiences across the globe in 2025. This elite team showcases the unparalleled capabilities of the F-22 Raptor, America’s premier fifth-generation air dominance stealth fighter, serving as a major recruitment tool and a symbol of American airpower.
Stationed at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, the F-22 Demo Team is a self-contained unit. Behind every breathtaking performance is a dedicated team of 14 enlisted members who are responsible for the meticulous maintenance of the F-22 Raptor, managing public affairs, and ensuring safety standards are rigorously met.
A New Pilot at the Helm
For the 2025 air show season, Captain Nick “Laz” Le Tourneau has taken the controls as the commander and pilot of the F-22 Demonstration Team. Capt. Le Tourneau is a seasoned fighter pilot with over 750 flying hours in aircraft including the T-6 Texan, T-38 Talon, and the F-22 Raptor. His certification for the role was completed in January 2025. He replaces Major Samuel “RaZZ” Larson. For Capt. Le Tourneau, piloting the F-22 in air shows is a “full-circle moment,” having been inspired to fly by seeing an F-22 demonstration at an air show when he was younger.
The Unmatched F-22 Raptor
The star of the show remains the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. This single-seat, twin-engine marvel of engineering is renowned for its unique combination of stealth, supercruise capability, and extreme maneuverability. Its advanced avionics make it nearly invisible to enemy radar, while its thrust-vectoring nozzles allow it to perform maneuvers that appear to defy the laws of physics. One such maneuver, unique to the Raptor, involves the pilot stopping the jet in mid-air, entering a free-fall, and then powerfully taking off again.
A Spectacle of Precision Flying
The demonstration routine is a carefully choreographed sequence of maneuvers designed to highlight the Raptor’s agility and power at low altitudes. Audiences can expect to witness awe-inspiring maneuvers such as power loops, tail slides, and high-speed passes that showcase the jet’s incredible performance envelope.
The F-22 Demo Team also frequently participates in the moving Air Force Heritage Flight program, flying in formation with historic aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This powerful display connects the legacy of past airmen with the present and future of the Air Force.
Catch the Demo Team in 2025
The F-22 Raptor Demo Team has a packed schedule for 2025, with performances across the United States and Canada. Here are some of the upcoming opportunities to see them live:
- July 19-20: Milwaukee Air & Water Show, Milwaukee, WI
- July 21-27: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI
- August 9-10: Kaneohe Bay Air Show, Kaneohe, HI
- August 23-24: Air Dot Show New York, Montgomery, NY
- August 30-31: Branson Wings of Pride Air Show, Branson, MO
- September 5-7: Airshow London – Sky Drive, London, ON
- September 20-21: NAS Oceana Airshow, Virginia Beach, VA
- September 26-28: MCAS Miramar Air Show, San Diego, CA
- October 11-12: Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow, Hammond, LA
- November 1-2: Wings and Warriors, San Marcos, TX
- November 7-8: Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
For the most current schedule and further details, it is always best to check the official F-22 Demo Team website. The team’s mission to inspire the next generation of aviators and maintainers continues to be a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on all who witness the power and precision of the F-22 Raptor.
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