The Air Force’s first C-17 test aircraft, T-1, conducted its 1,000th flight March 10 at Edwards AFB, Calif., its home. During the historic flight, T-1 was used to conduct tests of a hybrid air delivery system. Built in 1991, T-1 has been a dedicated test vehicle over its lifetime and continues to be a critical asset for the C-17 program. For example, in 2007, it was used to test Fischer-Tropsch synthetic fuel for the C-17 fleet. “This C-17 is currently in block 17, which is the most up-to-date aircraft as if it were coming right off the production line,” said Lt. Col. Robert Poremski, director of projects for Edwards’s 412th Test Support Squadron. The aircraft has now accumulated 4,623 flight hours. Coming up, T-1 will support NASA parachute tests for the next generation of spacecraft. (Edwards report by SrA. Stacy Sanchez)
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
