The 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus AFB, Miss., received its first new T-6A Texan II last week. State and local officials turned out to acknowledge the arrival and mark the beginning of the end for the base’s T-37 Tweet trainers. The commander of the 14th FTW, Col. Dave Gerber, noted that the wing had been preparing for the change for almost two years, saying: “It is time for a change. … The T-6 can fly twice the range of the T-37 while using half the fuel and T-6 performs better in crosswinds allowing us to fly on days the T-37 would not.”
The Air Force wants to “own and run” more of its air bases, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said Nov. 6, in what could be a major potential revamp the military’s joint base program. Speaking at the Airlift/Tanker Association’s 2026 Symposium, Wilsbach said he and the…