LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 87th Flying Training Squadron recently completed the transition from building 320 to their newly designated facility, building 307, and began their operations from the new location, Jan. 6.
The transition marks the end of approximately 30 years in Anderson Hall, and into their own renovated 12,700-square-foot facility, distinguishing themselves from the undergraduate pilot-training squadrons as Laughlin’s exclusive graduate pilot-training squadron.
“Our goal the entire time was to make it a world-class facility,” said Lt. Col. Johnathan Radtke, 87th FTS commander. “When you walk into a facility like this, it’s hard not to bring the same level of effort.”
Construction on the squadron's new facility began at the beginning of 2025, approximately two months after the sunset of the T-1A Jayhawk aircraft and departure of the 86th Flying Training Squadron in December.
“This facility has stepped out many great aviators in the T-1’s,” said Radtke. “Being able to use this facility as we produce the next generation of graduate pilots is something that is not lost on us.”
With the move into the new facility, the Red Bulls want to ensure their history as one of the Air Force’s oldest squadrons isn’t left behind. One way they continue that history is through the tradition of students signing their name on a wall beside their assigned aircraft as a farewell. Since the squadron couldn’t bring the wall to the new facility, they created canvases for each of the aircraft on the wall with the existing signatures, allowing future students to continue the tradition.
“We took high resolution photos of the wall and printed them onto canvas,” said Capt. Tom Baner, 87th FTS director of staff. “Now students can continue to sign on the canvases instead of the wall.”
The new facility allows for better space utilization of flight rooms, as well as new equipment and supplies. The move also helps the Red Bulls prepare future student pilots and instructors for success with the arrival of the T-7A Red Hawk aircraft just a few years away.
“There’s a 12 percent [space] increase over the old facility” said Capt. Brooks Alexander, 87th FTS T-38C instructor pilot. “Everyone has more space compared to the old facility, so students have a lot more room to prep and plan.”
The 87th FTS mission focuses on training U.S. Air Force and Allied officers to fly fighter and bomber aircraft using the T-38C Talon, serving as a follow-on graduate course to the Undergraduate Pilot Training program.