UPT 24-14 and XPW 24-15 Graduation Published Sept. 13, 2024 By Liz Easterling 14th Flying Training Wing COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Thirty Undergraduate Pilot Training and Accelerated Path to Wings student pilots of Class 24-14 and 24-15, graduated on September 13, 2024, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The UPT and XPW graduation ceremony officially marks the completion of initial flight training in the T-6 Texan II and T-1 Jayhawk as students earn their wings and begin the next phase of advanced pilot training for the Air Force’s newest pilots. UPT Pilots advance to graduate training in one of two new programs: Air Mobility Fundamentals, or Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals. These new programs, like UPT, capitalize on and incorporate modern training tools and methods that provide a unique advantage through innovation. AMF currently leverages the “Mid-Tier Device,” a simulator that replicates the T-1A Jayhawk, to prepare graduates for mobility or tanker platforms. The Air Force’s first-ever F/BF class began at CAFB in June 2023. The new program both combines and streamlines legacy T-38 Graduate Pilot Training and T-38 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals into a unified syllabus for graduates continuing to fighter or bomber platforms. XPW Pilots train in the T-1 Jayhawk. The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used for students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. It is also used to support navigator training for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and international services. The graduation speaker was Col. Stuart M. Rubio Director of Operations, Plans, and Requirements for 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. He commissioned in May 1998 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the T-1A, C-130E/H3/J and WC-130J supporting tactical airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and weather reconnaissance missions. Throughout his career, he has held several positions to include C-130J Formal Training Unit instructor/ evaluator pilot, executive officer at the squadron, group, and wing levels, flying squadron director of operations, wing chief of safety, and squadron, group, and wing commander. Students are also recognized with additional accolades through academic and professional military achievement such as: Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Military Training Award and Flying Training Award. CLASS 24-14 UPT and CLASS 24-15 XPW Graduates Maj. Phillip Dougherty- Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Flying Training Award Maj. Joshua Jones Capt. Ryan Delahunt- Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Flying Training Award Capt. Konrad Wehrmeister Capt. Ryan Delahunt 1st Lt. Nathan Evers 1st Lt. Haley Jackson 1st Lt. Diego Aleman- International Training Award 1st Lt. Joseph Catlett III- Military Training Award 1st Lt. Matthew White 1st Lt. Mark Hughes 1st Lt. Timothy Thornton 1st Lt. Matthew Walters 1st Lt. Tyler Tentschert 2d Lt. Carola Anselmi 2d Lt. Ulysses Campos 2d Lt. Ron Ron Catap- Military Training Award, International Training Award 2d Lt. David Crytser 2d Lt. Carah Yent 2d Lt. Christopher DeMartin 2d Lt. Nicholas Howcumfu 2d Lt. Joshua Tuttle 2d Lt. Joseph Spence 2d Lt. Brock Thompson 2d Lt. Jam Jang- International Training Award 2d Lt. Michael Lynch 2d Lt. Mateis Maehler 2d Lt. John Merkle 2d Lt. Tucker Neal 2d Lt. Carson Smith 2d Lt. Tyler Sancho