Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Matt Miller, T-38 aircraft mechanic, begins inspecting a T-38 Talon after a sortie July 27, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The mechanics recover the aircraft, perform inspections, provide refueling, and conduct scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Matt Miller, T-38 aircraft mechanic, inspects a T-38 Talon after a sortie July 27, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. Beale’s Talons are a part of the companion trainer program, which provide U-2 Dragon Lady pilots with general flight training so they can keep their flying hours current. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Jesse Mace, T-38 aircraft mechanic, checks the oil in a T-38 Talon engine during a post-flight inspection July 27, 2018, Beale Air Force Base, California. The mechanics’ efforts allow pilots to fly between 10 and 15 sorties a day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Matt Miller, T-38 aircraft mechanic, checks for cracks in a T-38 Talon’s exhaust during a post-flight inspection July 27, 2018, at Beale Air Force Base, California. The exhaust can form cracks from expansion and contraction due to repeated heating and cooling. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Jesse Mace, T-38 aircraft mechanic, hooks up an air starter to a T-38 Talon July 27, 2018, Beale Air Force Base, California. The mechanics recover the aircraft, perform inspections, provide refueling, and scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Jesse Mace, T-38 aircraft mechanic, refuels a T-38 Talon July 27, 2018, Beale Air Force Base, California. The mechanics’ efforts allow pilots to fly between 10 and 15 sorties a day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco)

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Sharpening their talons: 9th MXG maintainers keep T-38s working

Published Aug. 1, 2018
By Airman 1st Class Tristan D. Viglianco
9th Reconnaissance Wing Public Affairs

BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Recce Town’s T-38 Talons are a part of the companion trainer program, which provides U-2 Dragon Lady pilots with general flight training so they can keep their flying hours current. T-38 mechanics are responsible for keeping the Talons in working order. The mechanics recover the aircraft, perform inspections, provide refueling, and conduct scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. On average, the T-38s fly between 10 and 15 sorties a day. This pace allows up to 30 pilots to fly each day and helps keep them sharp.