With the deployment of another aircraft to the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG), the U.S. Air Force (USAF) continues advancing the retirement of its T-1A Jayhawk fleet. Since their induction in 1992, these aircraft have been instrumental in the training and development of transport-specialized pilots.

For over three decades, the T-1A Jayhawk has served as one of the Air Force’s primary platforms for advanced training, preparing pilots for transport and refueling missions. Additionally, the platform has trained personnel from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. However, recent reports indicate that the Air Force is phasing out these aircraft as part of a broader modernization effort.

In December, Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas bid farewell to its last T-1A Jayhawk, which had been operating under the 86th Flying Training Squadron. This milestone was commemorated with the aircraft’s final flight to AMARG, popularly known as “The Boneyard,” in Arizona. During this ceremonial flight, the T-1A was accompanied by two T-6A Texan II and two T-38C Talon trainer aircraft in formation, marking its departure.

This farewell aligns with the general trend of decommissioning the T-1A fleet. Of the 177 aircraft in service as of 2023, 75 were retired in 2024, and another 53 are slated for decommissioning in 2025. The T-7A Redhawk, a more advanced trainer, is expected to take the T-1A’s place in the future.

However, the operational retirement of the T-1A may not mark the end of its utility. Reports suggest the U.S. government has offered surplus Jayhawk aircraft to Peru and Uruguay through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. In 2024, the proposal included four aircraft for the Peruvian Armed Forces and four for Uruguay.

To date, neither country has issued a formal response to these offers. It’s worth noting that the T-1A Jayhawk has had only one operator, the USAF, and the platform is no longer in production, posing challenges for long-term sustainment and maintenance.

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