T-7A Red Hawk aircraft landing on flightline — The T-7A Red Hawk touches down for the first time at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the Air Force’s next-generation advanced trainer, built to replace the T-38C Talon and prepare pilots for fifth- and sixth-generation fighter and bomber aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Benjamin Faske)

Test pilot and 99FTS director of operations shaking hands — Steve Schmidt, Boeing T-7A Red Hawk pilot, and Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, 99th Flying Training Squadron director of operations, shake hands after piloting the first T-7A Red Hawk for its historic arrival to Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the Air Force’s newest training aircraft designed to train the next generation of pilots for the fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. The aircraft is assigned to the 99th Flying Training Squadron, a part of the 12th Flying Training Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

T-7A Red Hawk parked on flightline — Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, 99th Flying Training Squadron director of operations, and Steve Schmidt, Boeing test pilot, prepare to disembark the T-7A Red Hawk after its historic arrival to Air Education Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the fleet’s newest training aircraft designed to train the next generation of pilots for fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy Winchell)

The T-7A Red Hawk touches down for the first time at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the Air Force’s next-generation advanced trainer, built to replace the T-38C Talon and prepare pilots for fifth- and sixth-generation fighter and bomber aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Benjamin Faske)

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Steve Schmidt, Boeing T-7A Red Hawk pilot, and Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, 99th Flying Training Squadron director of operations, shake hands after piloting the first T-7A Red Hawk for its historic arrival to Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the Air Force’s newest training aircraft designed to train the next generation of pilots for the fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. The aircraft is assigned to the 99th Flying Training Squadron, a part of the 12th Flying Training Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

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Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, 99th Flying Training Squadron director of operations, and Steve Schmidt, Boeing test pilot, prepare to disembark the T-7A Red Hawk after its historic arrival to Air Education Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio Randolph, Texas, Dec. 5, 2025. The T-7A is the fleet’s newest training aircraft designed to train the next generation of pilots for fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Amy Winchell)

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T-7A Red Hawk lands at JBSA-Randolph

Published Dec. 5, 2025
By Capt. Nadia K. Rossin
Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) --

The U.S. Air Force’s first T-7A Red Hawk assigned to Air Education and Training Command arrived Dec. 5, at the 12th Flying Training Wing, marking a major milestone in the modernization of pilot training.

The addition of the T-7A marks the beginning of a new era for developing the Air Force’s next generation of aviators. Click here to learn more about the aircraft and its significance to the future of warfighting.

AETC will host an arrival ceremony at JBSA-Randolph to celebrate the milestone and recognize those who made it possible. Date and details to be announced.