11-12-2025
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StandardAero’s San Antonio team just achieved a major accomplishment: delivering its 1,000th J85-5 engine to the U.S. Air Force. These engines power the T-38 Talon, the jet trainer that prepares America’s fighter pilots for duty.
Every one of those 1,000 engines has been serviced right here at Port San Antonio, inside StandardAero’s 810,000-square-foot maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility—one of the largest in the country. The work supports the Air Force’s training mission and keeps a legacy engine flying strong, more than 70 years after its original design.
The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twinjet supersonic jet trainer designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. It was the world's first supersonic trainer as well as the most produced. Image source: Wikimedia Commons.
“Supporting the USAF pilot training mission is a tremendous honor,” said Rick Pataky, Vice President and General Manager of StandardAero’s Military Division in San Antonio. “Delivering 1,000 engines in such a short timeframe is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of our entire team.”
StandardAero reached this milestone in just five years—an unusually fast pace for a program of this scale. The achievement highlights San Antonio’s deep aerospace talent and how Port San Antonio’s ecosystem helps major employers move faster, recruit and train workers, and support U.S. military readiness.
StandardAero employees overseeing the J85-5 maintenance line at Port San Antonio.
The history of the J85
The J85 engine dates to 1954 and continues to prove its staying power. In addition to the T-38, it has powered the F-5 Freedom Fighter, the Boeing B-52’s missile decoy system, and even the Lear Jet’s first commercial flights. The U.S. military expects to keep the J85 in service through at least 2040.
To celebrate the milestone, StandardAero hosted a ceremony at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, gathering employees, Air Force partners, and local leaders.
“This milestone reflects the strength of our partnership with the U.S. Air Force Propulsion Program Office, Air Education and Training Command, and the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing,” said Marc Drobny, President of StandardAero’s Military, Helicopter, and Energy Division. “Together, we’ve built a resilient and transparent value chain that supports the entire J85-5 fleet, flight line and national security.”
New employees undergoing in-house training.
Beyond its military work, StandardAero’s Port San Antonio facility also trains the next generation of aviation mechanics. Through its Aviation Mechanic Training Program, more than 200 students each year gain hands-on skills to launch aerospace careers. The site also supports commercial programs like the CFM LEAP engine, which powers new Boeing and Airbus jets around the world.
Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbach said StandardAero’s success shows how San Antonio continues to play a vital and growing role in national defense and aerospace innovation.
“StandardAero’s successful J85 program is a powerful example of how companies on the Tech Port campus are building the industries that build America’s future,” Perschbach said. “The work being done here not only supports U.S. and allied air forces but also creates new opportunities for local talent to enter one of the world’s most advanced technical fields.”
With 1,000 engines complete and more to come, StandardAero’s San Antonio team continues to prove that the city’s aviation roots run deep—and its future is just as strong.
The growing J85-5 team recently gathered to celebrate delivering 1,000 engines.
Image credits: Port San Antonio.
