Columbus Air Force Base is home to the Air Education and Training Command and 19th Air Force’s 14th Flying Training Wing, where the mission is to “Train World Class Pilots.” Columbus Air Force Base had a busy year, successfully graduating 15 classes of world-class pilots from Undergraduate Pilot Training.  Undergraduate Pilot Training, also known as UPT, is a rigorous training program lasting approximately one year.  Training takes place in the T-6 Texan II, T-38C Talon, and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft.

In the first phase of training, students fly the T-6.  This phase involves basic aircraft control, which includes takeoff and landing techniques and aerobatics.  Students learn how to use the aircraft instruments to fly and navigate through all types of weather and fly to several different locations.  The students will go through roughly six to eight months of training to earn their wings.  Upon completion of T-6 training, students will receive training in the T-38 or T-1.  The T-38 training lasts roughly eight months, while the T-1 route lasts about three months.  Following graduation from the T-38 or T-1, the next phase of training begins, which will be specialized depending on the aircraft selected for the students to fly.

The 2024 training year is just around the corner and everyone at Columbus AFB is looking forward to new students arriving and the opportunity to guide, train and help them develop the skills necessary to become world-class pilots.  Congratulations to the 15 graduating classes of 2023.  Here is to filling up the skies over Columbus and beyond!