The plan to merge active and Air National Guard forces to create a squadron of C-17 airlifters at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, is now a year old and heading into the home stretch—the first of eight C-17s are due to arrive in January. This Future Total Force initiative, says CMSgt. Scott Yerxa, has been an “almost seamless” blending of a “great group of professionals.” Some Guard backers have raised doubts about the FTF project, claiming it will weaken ANG units.
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.