A T-6 Texan II trainer aircraft assigned to the 47th Flying Training Wing at Laughlin AFB, Tex., crashed Friday near the base during an undergraduate training sortie. The Del Rio News-Herald reported that witnesses saw both the student pilot and instructor eject from the T-6 before it skidded on the ground into a cloud of dust near Spofford, Tex. Laughlin officials said the instructor pilot and student were both safe. A board of officers will investigate the mishap. (Laughlin report by George McKnight)
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.