“The work ethic and dedication of [the KC-10 maintainers in Southwest Asia] is outstanding,” says MSgt. William Dorety, production supervisor for the 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron. Dorety is one who would know. According to the Sand Script, Dorety has deployed 19 times during his 20-plus years in the Air Force and says, “I’ve never seen the same level of commitment as I’ve seen out of these young maintainers.” They perform all manner of maintenance—in 135 degree-heat on the flightline and hotter in the aircraft—on the KC-10s to ensure they can fly twice within 24 hours. (Read the feature in the Sand Script.)
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.