Has Kazakhstan—the biggest and most powerful of those ‘Stan countries—come back to our side? Yes. And no. Its foreign minister told Washington Times reporters that his country would continue to support US operations in Central Asia. That’s good, the US needs infrastructure support and other kinds of help in Central Asia. Still, he stated unequivocally that China, the new 800-pound gorilla in the area, has everyone’s attention. China is the main reason that US ties with Central Asia nations—including Kazakhstan—have cooled recently.
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.