Instructor pilots with the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph AFB, Tex., brought their T-6A Texan II trainers to Cannon AFB, N.M., where they hoped to entice a few fighter pilots to cross over into the IP world, reports CMSgt. Gary Emery. Since Cannon is giving up its F-16 force, the 12th Operations Group commander, Col. Christopher Weggeman, himself a former Viper pilot, thought he might garner a few volunteers to help “forge Air Force aviators with a combat mentality early on,” says Maj. Paul Dupuis. He and Maj. Tommy Hudnall got the call to provide orientation rides on the Texan and apparently sparked some interest.
SDA’s Next Phase of Data Transport Satellites on Hold
June 30, 2025
The long-term future of one of the Space Development Agency’s two satellite constellations is on hold as officials study the options for replacing a planned “data transport layer” with one or more commercial solutions. President Trump’s proposed 2026 defense budget...