The
1st Fighter Wing has grown its stable at Langley AFB, Va., by welcoming the first of seven T-38 Talon trainer aircraft. Transferred from Holloman AFB, N.M., this first T-38 forms the basis of Langley’s new Talon Adversary Air Program, which aims to provide cost-effective aggressor platforms to square off against the wing’s F-22s in training exercises. “This T-38 program is a very economical solution to a difficult problem,” said Lt. Col. Derek Wyler, adversary program leader. With fewer fourth generation fighters available in USAF’s inventory, there was an increased emphasis on finding a suitable aggressor, making the Talon’s arrival on April 1 a relief. “The T-38 is small, nimble, and difficult to find in the air,” said 1st FW Commander Col. Matt Molloy. He added, “This [air]plane will punish a Raptor pilot’s mistakes if they make them.” The remaining six T-38s will arrive in the coming months. (Langley report by A1C Jason Brown)
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.

