Northrop T-38C Talon

The 14th Flying Training Wing (14 FTW) is based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The 14 FTW, under the Air Education Training Command (AETC), is responsible for an intensive 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) program. The mission of the 14 FTW is to provide instructor pilot training in the Northrop T-38 Talon jet trainer. The 49th Fighter Training Squadron conducts Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals flying training for over 75 U.S. Air Force and international pilots and Weapon System Officers annually. The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2012 in air forces throughout the world. The T-38 has been in service for over 50 years with the USAF. The T-38C is used to prepare pilots for aircraft such as the F-15C Eagle and F-15E Strike Eagle, as well as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, B-52 Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, B-2 Spirit, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. The AETC received T-38Cs in 2001 as part of the Avionics Upgrade Program. The T-38Cs owned by the AETC have undergone propulsion modernization which replaces major engine components to enhance reliability and maintainability, and an engine inlet/injector modification to increase available takeoff thrust. The upgrades and modifications, with the Pacer Classic program, should extend the service life of T-38s past 2020. See More...