SSgt. Jonta L. Paten put his rope and high-angle rescue training to work when he aided Prince George Country (Md.) firefighters bring down electrical engineer Josh Vinson from atop a 200-foot water tower on Andrews AFB, Md. Vinson was conducting routine maintenance when officials say his blood sugar level dropped suddenly, putting him in a diabetic shock. Paten, of the 89th Civil Engineer Squadron, climbed the 200-foot tower to set up the descending devices as Prince George’s firemen administered aid. Paten secured the basket as they lowered Vinson to the ground.
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.