Celebrating 50 years with the T-38

The T-38 is a twin-engine, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38 for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. (courtesy photo)

Celebrating 50 years with the T-38

A Thunderbirds demonstration team of six T-38 Talons fly inverted in formation. The Thunderbirds flew the T-38 from 1974 to 1982. (Photo courtesy USAF Thunderbirds)

A Look Inside AETC

LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. – The 189th Airlift Wing, Air National Guard provides instruction in all C-130 crew positions Department of Defense-wide. C-130 Instructors from the 189th Operations Group, Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., conduct preflight checklist training. The 189th Airlift Wing trains C-130 aircrew instructor candidates to become instructors in the respective crew positions, so that they may return to their units and help keep their unit members combat ready. The wing also operates the Air National Guard Enlisted Aircrew Academic School, which trains all the Air Force’s C-130 entry-level loadmasters before they are sent across base to the 314th Airlift Wing for initial and mission qualification training. Additionally, the academic school is one of two flight engineer schools to provide entry-level flight engineer training for Air Force flight engineers. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Dianna Seerey)

A Look Inside AETC

SPRINGFIELD AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ohio -- Former Ohio State University quarterback Craig Krenzel listens to Capt. Aaron "Scat" Wildman as he explains his preflight checklist prior to Mr. Krenzel's F-16 familiarization flight Sep. 11, 2009 at the 178th Fighter Wing, Springfield, Ohio. The 178th Fighter Wing trains active-duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve pilots to fly F-16 Fighting Falcons. The wing is one of three stateside National Guard units that is designated as a training unit to prepare future F-16 pilots for worldwide missions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Master Sgt. Joseph R. Stahl)

A Look Inside AETC

NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia -- Lt. Col. Robert Erickson, 173rd Fighter Wing instructor pilot, Oregon Air National Guard, returns from a basic fight maneuver flight with a Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18 Hornet during Sentry Downunder in August 2008 at RAAF Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia. Sentry Downunder is a joint flight exercise with the 173rd FW, assisting the RAAF 2nd Operational Conversion Unit advanced fighter weapons school conducted at RAAF Williamtown. The 173rd FW is responsible for training for new pilots and pilot instructors on air-to-air combat tactics and basic flight instructions on the F-15 from Kingsley Field, Ore. The 173rd FW also provides specialized training for flight surgeons, dentists, and optometrists on treating the unique physiological problems of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jerry Bynum)

A Look Inside AETC

NEW SOUTH WALES, Australia -- Master Sgt. Steve Tilford, 141st Air Refueling Wing boom operator, Washington Air National Guard refuels a Oregon Air National Guard 173rd Fighter Wing F-15 Eagle during Sentry Downunder in August 2008 at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Williamtown, New South Wales, Australia. Sentry Downunder is a joint flight exercise with the 173rd FW assisting the RAAF 2nd Operational Conversion Unit advanced fighter weapons school conducted at RAAF Williamtown. The 173rd Fighter Wing is responsible for training for new pilots and pilot instructors on air-to-air combat tactics and basic flight instructions on the F-15 from Kingsley Field, Ore. The 173rd FW also provides specialized training for flight surgeons, dentists, and optometrists on treating the unique physiological problems of pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jerry Bynum)