The last of 20 T-38C trainer aircraft arrived at Randolph AFB, Tex., completing their shift from Laughlin Air Force Base, also in the Lone Star state, as part of the Air Force’s consolidation of its Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training. Laughlin’s 434th Fighter Training Squadron relinquished these aircraft to Randolph’s 435th FTS. The latter will also gain 11 active duty instructor pilots, more than 30 support positions, and train approximately 80 additional students annually, according to service officials. The Air Force announced last May its plans to end IFF training at Laughlin and Vance AFB, Okla., leaving IFF training courses at Randolph, Columbus AFB, Miss., and Sheppard AFB, Tex. The final T-38C arrived at Randolph, a part of Joint Base San Antonio, on Jan. 18. (Randolph photo caption by Rich McFadden)
The Air Force and Boeing agreed to a nearly $2.4 billion contract for a new lot of KC-46 aerial tankers on Nov. 21. The deal, announced by the Pentagon, is for 15 new aircraft in Lot 11 at a cost of $2.389 billion—some $159 million per tail.