Test pilots play vital role to Laughlin mission

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steven R. Doty
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Pilots from the 415th Flight Test Flight at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, arrived June 10, to deliver a Laughlin T-38 Talon that had received depot maintenance and major modifications with the 571st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at JBSAR.

The 571st AMXS, a unit of the 309th Maintenance Wing at Hill AFB, Utah, is responsible for conducting modifications and repairs to all T-38s in the Air Force, as well as some Navy T-38s.

Lt. Col. Ripley Woodard, 415th FLTF commander and test pilot, and Maj. Cameron Williams, 415th FLTF test pilot, were responsible for the delivery to Laughlin, as well as, the pick-up and delivery of an AT-38B Talon, based out of the 96th Test Group, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, back to JBSAR.

Since 2012, Woodard's unit has grown from two full-time test pilots and a hand-full of NCOs, to three full-time, two part-time pilots and a larger NCO staff who specialize in aviation resource management and aircrew flight equipment. Woodard and his team are responsible for the ground inspections and test flights of most T-38s modified or repaired by the 571st AMXS.

The hard-work and dedication of the 415th FLTF and the 571st AMXS play a vital role in ensuring the instructor and student pilots at Laughlin, and throughout the Air Education and Training Command, have safe and mission-ready aircraft to meet the high-demand training requirements.
 

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