The Japanese parliament on Tuesday passed a measure that would extend the use of Japan Air Defense Force assets to haul cargo and personnel in Iraq, reports Reuters news service. Japanese military air elements have aided coalition operations in Iraq since December 2003, and they have taken over some airlift operations in the Pacific to free USAF airlifters for Southwest Asia duty.
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.