T-38C Talon Instructor Pilot (front), Lt. Col Edward Stapanon III, and Combat Systems Officer (rear), Maj. Brion Nielsen, begin their take-off roll for a training mission April 18, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The aircraft recently completed the Pacer Classic III modification package and still shows its distinctive tiger stripes that will be removed when the aircraft receives its next scheduled complete paint job. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alex R. Lloyd)