The US Air Force chose its top fighter squadron, naming the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, as the 2011 Raytheon Trophy winner.

The annual award, originally started by the Hughes Aircraft Company in 1953, is now sponsored by Raytheon Systems Corporation and is given to the top air superiority or air defense squadron in the Air Force.

The 67th flies the F-15C, and their mascot is the rooster; they’re known as the Fightin’ Cocks. Their squadron commander, LtCol Robert Cioppa, said

“In my opinion, the U.S. Air Force has never had a finer or more expeditionary fighter squadron than the 67th Fighter Squadron Fighting Cocks.”