The newest 37th Squadron First Assignment Instructor Pilot, 1st Lt. Joshua Leaser, is back from training at Joint-Base San Antonio Randolph Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX!
The 37th Flying Training Squadron at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, recently welcomed 1st Lt. Joshua Leaser, as the newest First Assignment Instructor Pilot (FAIP) back from Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) at Joint-Base San Antonio Randolph Air Force Base.

1st Lt. Leaser completed the Pilot Instructor Training on June 9, 2023, after receiving his wings at Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
“I am excited to be back and start flying. It’s a great feeling to be out and help students train to be the best of the best pilots. Being a FAIP comes with great responsibility. You are teaching students how to fly an aircraft!” Leaser said.

A 2020 graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO. Leaser went to the academy to play baseball, on his way to serve in the Air Force. Leaser’s plan was to play baseball professionally before his service began. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, plans changed for him. Although his dreams of playing professionally ended, he still had the opportunity to pursue his other dream to train to become a pilot for the Air Force.

“After baseball was over, I wasn’t devastated that it didn’t work out for me. I knew no matter what I was going to serve my country and pursue being a pilot in the greatest military branch there is! When I was selected to become an instructor pilot on January 19, 2023, I was overjoyed, and honored to be selected. I love helping people in any way I can.” – 1st Lt. Leaser.

Leaser hopes after every lesson with his students, they will be able to take away something positive from the time in the aircraft. His goal at the end of his FAIP career is to walk away knowing he taught each and every student the best he could, and the students ultimately enjoy the experience of flying.

After Leaser completed UPT, his best advice for students new to the program is: “One of the most critical items you need is the attitude you bring every day, because your attitude determines that even if you have a bad day, it won’t be the worst day, and when you have a good day, it will feel like a great day.”

Fun fact about 1st Lt. Leaser! Leaser was originally part of the first 2.5 UPT class at Joint-Base San Antonio Randolph Air Force Base, starting UPT April 15, 2021. His class was moved to Columbus Air Force Base in November of 2021. Leaser finished his training and completed UPT after 21 months and 5 days on January 19th, 2023, giving him the distinct honor of being the longest T-1 U.S. student in UPT history.

Columbus Air Force Base is 1 of the 4 training flying bases where they train world-class pilots!