SECAF Wynne told the Air Warfare Symposium that, in supplying worldwide surveillance, airlift, air dominance, precise navigation, timely strike, and global communications for the US military, USAF’s contributions are taken for granted by the other services and the Pentagon leadership. “We play our role so well, people forget they have to resource it,” he reported. He also said that, although the first priority of the military today must be to support the troops engaged in “this bloody fight” in Iraq, the Defense Department still has an obligation to prepare for the full “spectrum of warfare.” That means still being able to deal with a near-peer competitor in every arena. (Note: Whenever defense officials use the term “near peer,” they mean China.)
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.