The 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard AFB, Tex., has received its first two T-6 Texan II trainers, marking the start of the conversion from the T-37 Tweet for the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training program, reports the Times Record News. Wing pilots flew a ceremonial four-ship last fall to mark the end of the Tweet era. The wing expects to reach its full complement of Texans by December 2009; it’s the last base to convert to the new trainers.
A major planned upgrade for the F-35 fighter’s engine is expected to reach a major milestone in August when it undergoes its critical design review, an Air Force official said July 27.