The last T-43A remaining at Randolph AFB, Tex, fittingly named the Spirit of San Antonio, will make its final move on Nov. 6 when it goes on display outside the base, which has been its home for the past 17 years. The feat of towing the 29-ton aircraft from the flight line to a purpose-built display stand near the base operations building is a monumental project for 12th Flight Training Wing maintainers. “It will take no less than eight to 12 hours. Just getting the jet positioned perfectly could take quite a bit of time,” said John Rowland, T-43 production supervisor. Surrounded by a sidewalk and circular garden, the T-43 will rest just outside the base, where it will be accessible to the public. Randolph officials retired the T-43 from service in September as part of the shift of combat systems officer training to Pensacola, Fla. (Randolph report by Robert Goetz)
A Defense Department team is on the ground in Ukraine assessing what the country needs to protect itself from air, naval, electronic, and cyber warfare threats as Russian troops gather on multiple fronts, a senior Ukrainian defense official told Air Force Magazine, describing an emphasis on what assistance can be…