T-38s resurrected as aggressors for F-22s

The versatile T-38, an aircraft that’s been in the Air Force arsenal since 1956, is taking on yet another role — the aggressor jet in training F-22 Raptor pilots.

Best known as an advanced jet trainer for new pilots, the Talon will be giving F-22 jocks a workout in building their combat skills and meeting their monthly currency requirements.

As aggressors, the T-38 will provide training at three locations — Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.; Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va. Squadrons at each base will get detachments of seven Talons by summer.

At Langley, two T-38s will arrive each month beginning in March.

The 21 T-38s were originally sent to South Korea in 1997 for pilot training, but were returned to the U.S. in 2009 and retired to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

But the Air Force had other plans, according to Lt. Col. Derek Wyler, who manages the T-38 adversary air program at Langley. The Talons were pulled from the desert and went through a 70-day “regeneration.”

The aircraft were X-rayed, inspected and brought up to flight standards so they could fulfill their role as aggressors against the hugely advanced Raptors.

Keeping pilots sharp
While the T-38 is no match for the F-22, it offers the Air Force a relatively cheap way to keep fighter pilots sharp.

“This program will provide some great opportunities at an economical price,” said Wyler, an experienced T-38 and F-15 pilot. To keep costs down, instructors — four at Langley — will be qualified in both aircraft.

Using T-38s as aggressors saves fuel and gives F-22 pilots experience in being attacked by multiple aircraft rather than dueling among themselves, Wyler said. “It’s highly desired to be outnumbered,” he said.

The T-38s are also providing jobs. At Langley, 14 contractors are being hired to maintain the jets.

The Talons will engage the F-22s mimicking adversarial tactics and weapons, called Red Air flying, as well as simulating U.S. strategies and weapons, known as Blue Air flying. To ensure challenging scenarios, Wyler said, the training also permits pilots to improvise tactics in the sky.

Wyler said the T-38 can be adapted to other missions within the Air Force.

“It’s not exclusively an adversary air platform,” he said.

The Talon is also a companion trainer for U-2 and B-2 pilots and introduces basic fighter-pilot skills for aviators selected for other operational fighter aircraft, Wyler said.