T-37 retires: 'Tweet Complete'

(April 12, 2008)

The Cessna T-37 "Tweet" training aircraft tooks its retirement on April 3, 2008 at Columbus AFB, after having served as the USAF's primary jet trainer for 39 years. The 80th Flying Training Wing was the last user of the "Tweet".

The T-37 was used to train some 10,000 USAF pilots during its career and will remain a symbol of the Air Force and a fond memory to several generations of pilots.

A T-37 Tweet from the 85th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin AFB, Texas flying over Lake Amistad during a training mission. (Photo USAF)

The T-37 is replaced by the T-6 Texan II, a turboprop trainer based on the Pilatus PC-9 design. A total of 69 T-6s will replace the fleet of 74 T-37s over the next year and a half.

The Tweet's replacement will be the T-6 Texan II. (Photo USAF)