Katrina Changes AETC Privatization Plans: The impact of Hurricane Katrina has led Air Education and Training Command officials to extend the family housing privatization timeline as they look for ways to offset a nearly 20 percent rise in regional construction costs. The search for ways to resolve “financial gaps” led to an eight-month delay for some bases. AETC also decided to remove Keesler AFB, Miss., the USAF base hit hardest by Katrina, from privatization plans altogether. Instead, they plan to replace all Keesler family housing using traditional military construction means.
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.