A C-17 airlifting patients from Iraq to Germany on Christmas Day faced poor visibility as it approached Ramstein AB, Germany, but the air traffic controllers at Ramstein had, just three days previously, activated a new Category II instrument landing system. The C-17 aeromedevac flight became the first aircraft to use the new ILS capability, successfully landing within the CAT II minimum of a 100-foot ceiling and 370 meters visibility. Since taking over primary airlift hub duties from the former Rhein-Main Air Base, Ramstein also has added DOD’s first CAT III ILS approach system, making it possible for aircraft with CAT III technology, like the C-17, to land when the ceiling is down to ground level and 200 meters visibility.
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.