With USAF’s F-15 fleet of A-D models grounded indefinitely, Air National Guard units that fly F-16 Vipers have been subbing around the country for Air Guard units that fly F-15s on Operation Noble Eagle air sovereignty missions. The Illinois ANG’s 183rd Fighter Wing has sent some 50 airmen to New Orleans to cover missions normally flown by the Louisiana ANG’s 159th FW, reports the Journal-Register. Before the Illinois team arrived, the Alabama ANG’s 187th FW had flown the ONE missions. Last week, we also reported that Vermont ANG F-16s had picked up the alert mission for the northeast from Massachusetts ANG F-15s.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.