The T-37 Tweet officially retired and the 80^th Flying Training Wing replaced the prominent trainer aircraft with the T-6A Texan II.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. James Maslowski handed the “set of keys” to Col. David Petersen, 80^th FTW Commander David Petersen, to signify the wing’s acceptance of the first two trainers.

“We are pleased that you are beginning training in the T-6, but it also marks the end of a historical aircraft, the T-37,” Admiral Maslowski said.

Sheppard Air Force Base currently has eight T-6As on its ramp, but will receive a total of 69 over the next 18 months. Base officials have 74 T-37s at this time.

The two aircraft taxied up to a vintage AT-6 Texan a little after 3 p.m. Colonel Petersen piloted the first aircraft, with Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Steering Committee Chairman Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Commodore Peter Berlijn in the back seat. The second T-6A was piloted by Capt. Brian Wood, an instructor pilot at the 89th Flying Training Squadron. Italian Brig. Gen. Franco Marsiglia, the steering committee’s incoming chairman, was also in the second aircraft.