Retired Col. Vincent Fonke has just been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions as a bomber pilot during World War II. Lt. Gen. Christopher Kelly, Air Mobility Command vice commander, and Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-N.C.), whose office helped Fonke get the medal, were on hand for the event last week at Pope AFB, N.C., reports journalist David Tijerina. Fonke, who ended his 30-year career at Pope, received the DFC because his B-17 crew was attacked while they were attacking the Siebel aircraft factory in Halle, Germany. His plane’s No. 2 engine got destroyed and the right wing caught on fire after being hit between the No. 3 and No. 4 engines.
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.