EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018: Boeing Plaza - Texan II, Jayhawk and Goshawk Trainers

By Fred Harl

The Aero Experience coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2018 Boeing Plaza static displays continues with a look at military training aircraft currently in use by the USAF and U.S. Navy. The fancy fighter jets, ferocious bombers and massive cargo planes receive most of the attention, but those crews had to receive training at the beginning of their careers. These training aircraft, the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk and T-45C Goshawk are featured here in recognition of the instructors who mold new officers into pilots. The Texan II on display is from the 455th FTS based at NAS Pensacola, FL and sports the paint scheme used by the (then bomber) squadron's B-26 Marauders during the D-Day Invasion. The T-1A Jayhawk is also based at NAS Pensacola with the 451st FTS. Both units train what is now called the Combat Systems Officer, formerly known as Weapons Systems Officer, Navigator, Sensor Operator, etc. The T-45C pictured here in conventional training paint scheme is the U.S. Navy's advanced trainer from VT-7, TW-1 based at NAS Meridian, MS.