LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Over the last few years, sun shelters have been constructed to house many of the aircraft at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
The new T-6 Texan II sun shelters, which shelters currently 33 aircraft, have been rolling out to improve training and the quality of life for individuals and Airmen working on the flightline.
“The installation of the electrical utility and sunshades not only increases efficiency allowing more training missions to be executed, but also protects vital Air Force assets,” said 1st Lt. Eric Curia, 47th Civil Engineer Squadron chief of project execution.
Previously, aircraft used in Specialized Undergraduate Pilot training would be parked out in the elements, which both would make performing maintenance more difficult and harm the aircraft itself.
Pilots, like Capt. Bradley Klanderman, 434th Flying Training Squadron T-6 instructor pilot, have also hailed the new shelters. One of their biggest complaints previously was baking in the mid-summer Texas heat while starting up their aircraft.
“It’s really improved drastically,” he said. “Previously in the midafternoon, it would be so hot that it would be difficult to touch some surfaces of the aircraft without gloves.”
Along with the T-6 sun shades, the base plans to roll out new sun shades for approximately 30 T-1 Jayhawks during the next fiscal year.