He insisted that although 38 of the L-39 trainer jets, which had been in service for over two decades, had been decommissioned, 12 still in service were useable and well maintained. The Air Force last month commissioned four South Korean-made T-50 TH trainer jets to replace the L-39s of Air Wing 401, based at the Takhli airbase in Nakhon Sawan province. The L-39 trainer jets currently in service would be moved to Air Wing 41 in Chiang Mai for use until their operational period ends, he said. Later in the afternoon, Jom presided over a ceremony to receive Krerkkiat’s body at the Don Mueang Military Airport. The Air Force will host Krerkkiat’s funeral prayers until May 30 at Wat Phrasri Mahathat in Bang Khen before a royally sponsored cremation.

Source: The Nation Bangkok May 23, 2018 10:40 UTC