Air Education and Training Command’s mission is to recruit, train, and educate exceptional airmen. This command works diligently to ensure the simulations, flights and classroom studies are meeting the current demands for combat fighter pilots.  

This September, with the assistance of Air Combat Command’s 2nd Fighter Training Squadron, F-35A student pilots were able to get complex training during their final, or capstone, evaluation. The capstone rides incorporate both air-to-air and air-to-ground tactics during the same flight. The 2nd FTS traveled to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, to conduct the training with the F-35A pilots.  

During the training, student pilots fly Blue Air--the good guys--while course instructors and other assets fly as threats, also known as Red Air. The 2nd FTS primary mission is adversary air replication using the T-38A Talons. The T-38s made for more diverse aerial environment which provides more valuable training to the F-35A pilots. DVIDS - News - T-38s, F-35s sync for pilot training (dvidshub.net)