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)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.