ANJ, Sept. 14 – An Air Force pilot received the prestigious Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy after saving an F-22 Raptor through exceptional skill during a high-stakes emergency. Capt. Michael Cloninger of the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson demonstrated outstanding flight safety when the right main wheel assembly departed his aircraft seconds after takeoff on September 18, 2024. The $150 million stealth fighter required a wheels-up belly landing after the pilot burned fuel for an hour while circling and evaluating options with no established procedure available. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach presented the 2025 award recognizing averted aircraft damage and preserved life.
Cloninger canceled a ceremonial Battle of Britain flyover in the Central Command area and executed a shallow approach that allowed the F-22 to skid safely to a stop without fire. He then powered down the jet intact, crediting teammates for communication and checklist support that proved essential. Wilsbach praised the pilot’s disciplined adaptation, training trust, and sound decisions while carrying a full combat load far from home. The Koren Kolligian Jr. Trophy honors extraordinary airmanship that minimizes injury, loss of life, or property damage and remains the only award given personally by the Air Force Chief of Staff
Named for 1st Lt. Koren Kolligian Jr., who vanished in 1955, the trophy has previously recognized pilots who recovered aircraft after sudden malfunctions. Cloninger’s F-22 Raptor belly landing joins those feats of ingenuity and proficiency. This Air Force pilot safety award highlights how teamwork and training protect multimillion-dollar assets and aircrew during unforeseen mechanical failures.
The incident underscores the value of the Koren Kolligian Trophy in promoting F-22 flight safety excellence across fighter squadrons worldwide.