Replacement trainer at Whiting

WHITING FIELD, Fla. – The first two of new T-6B Texan II training aircraft that will replace the T-34C Turbo Mentor arrived at Naval Air Station Whiting Field Thursday. The T-34s have been used at Whiting since 1978, but the T-6 is bigger, stronger and has a digital cockpit – more in keeping with the advanced aircraft used by the nation’s military today. The T-34 will be phased out as 156 T-6s are brought in to Whiting. Students will begin using the new planes in April and all aircraft will arrive by 2015. (Sources: Pensacola News Journal, WEAR-TV, Santa Rosa Press Gazette, 08/27/09)