Photo essay: Whiteman's T-38 Talons get ready for flight Published Jan. 27, 2011 By Senior Airman Kenny Holston 509th Bomber Wing Public Affairs WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFNS) -- Crew chiefs and maintainers perform final preflight checks on the T-38 Talon high-altitude supersonic trainer here Jan. 26. The T-38 is used by pilots to conduct sorties and accumulate flight hours and training time. View the slideshow.