T-38 Maintenance Depot Visit Highlights Program's Role in Extending Trainer's Lifespan Published Feb. 21, 2025 By Benjamin Faske 19th Air Force Public Affairs Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas -- The 19th Air Force commander and command chief toured the T-38 Maintenance Depot here, Feb. 10, 2025. The visit by Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder and Chief Master Sgt. Keith Scott highlighted the critical role the depot plays in extending the lifespan of the aging T-38 Talon, a cornerstone in the Air Force pilot training program over the past six decades. The depot, operated by the 575th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, is responsible for the T-38 Pacer Classic III (PCIII) and Talon Repair, Inspection, and Maintenance (TRIM) programs. These programs, part of the Legacy Training Aircraft Division within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Training Directorate, oversee the maintenance and overhaul of all T-38 models (A, B and C). “The work being done here is vital to ensuring we have enough T-38s available to meet the Air Force’s pilot training demands,” Kreuder said. “The TRIM program’s focused maintenance approach is key to keeping these aircraft safe and operational until they are replaced by the T-7A Red Hawk.” The T-38 Talon, first introduced in 1961, has been instrumental in training generations of fighter and bomber pilots. The PCIII and TRIM program’s comprehensive maintenance and overhaul efforts are expected to extend the aircraft’s service life to an unprecedented 80 years. “The dedication and expertise of the men and women of the 575th AMXS are remarkable," Kreuder said. "They are breathing new life into these aircraft, enabling our pilots to train in safe and reliable training platforms as they develop the flying skills they need to defend our nation." John Anderson, a 575th AMXS production flight chief, relies on years of expertise to handle the in-depth structural overhaul of the T-38. "The 575th AMXS is the world’s T-38 subject matter expert," Anderson said. "We play a vital role in the sustainment of the T-38 fleet, providing service life extension into the 2030s and beyond." All undergraduate pilot training bases will eventually transition from the T-38 to the T-7A Red Hawk. Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is expected to get the first delivery in fiscal 2026 with the other UPT bases receiving theirs in the coming years. Until then, the T-38 depot program will continue to play a vital role in maintaining the Air Force’s pilot training pipeline.