The Air Force says it may retire a total of 272 aircraft in Fiscal 2008. This includes both fixed-wing airplanes and helicopters. Scheduled to go are: 17 B-52s, 24 C-130Es, 32 F-15s, 35 F-16s, 42 F-117s (completing the retirement of the Nighthawk fleet), 48 KC-135Es, 10 MH-53J/M helicopters, 63 T-37Bs, and one U-2. Originally, the service requested permission to phase out more than 300 aircraft in 2008. In Fiscal 2009, USAF has asked Congress for permission to phase out 182 aircraft.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.