News - Category Pilot Training Next

March 30, 2026
48th FTS 'Alley Cats' close the book on T-1A Jayhawk era

That chapter reached its emotional conclusion Nov. 26, 2025. Under a cool, windy morning sky, the final four T-1A Jayhawks touched down at Columbus Air Force Base for the last time, carrying the final student pilots of the Accelerated Path to Wings (XPW) syllabus.
March 20, 2026
Graduating the Future of Flight: Class 26-07

Twenty-five U.S. Air Force, Japanese, and Tunisian officers were awarded the coveted silver wings as a symbol of their hard work and training during their graduation ceremony held March 19, 2026.
Feb. 19, 2026
Silent Linchpins: Non-Destructive Inspection Airmen power Luke’s mission through

Behind the jet engines and the constant tempo of flight training, a team of Airmen work to ensure every aircraft that leaves the runway is structurally sound and safe to fly at the 56th Fighter Wing.
Feb. 5, 2026
Laughlin reinvents pilot production with rapid crew swaps

Laughlin is the first undergraduate pilot training (UPT) base to implement Rapid Crew Swap (RCS) procedures, an innovative approach shaped by the deliberate application of Goldratt’s Theory of Constraints.
Feb. 3, 2026
'Flag Dave' gets a ride in the jets he has greeted for two decades

For more than two decades, pilots passing through Fort Smith Regional Airport in Arkansas have come to expect a familiar sight on the ramp: a man dressed head to toe in red, white, and blue, standing proudly with an American flag raised high. To the world he is Dave Burns. To the military flying
Jan. 29, 2026
Luke, Holloman Demonstrate Global Fighter Operations During Community Leader Visit

Airmen assigned to Luke Air Force Base and Holloman Air Force Base conducted integrated training between fourth- and fifth-generation aircraft this week to strengthen combat readiness and highlight Luke’s role as the U.S. Air Force’s premier fighter training installation supporting the service’s
Jan. 22, 2026
A major milestone achieved: U.S. and Italian air forces successfully test the future of pilot training

In a landmark event for military pilot training, the U.S. and Italian air forces celebrated the graduation of 10 American student pilots from the International Flight Training School (IFTS) on Jan. 16.
Feb. 2, 2025
Class 25-05 students receive aviator wings at graduation ceremony held Jan 31 at Vance

Twenty-four students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-05 received their wings during a ceremony held Jan. 31 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
Jan. 8, 2025
U.S. Air Force partners with academia, industry to test future pilot production model

Air Education and Training Command partnered with the University of North Dakota Aerospace Foundation flight training program in Arizona and the Brunner Aerospace flight training program in Texas to test a new Initial Pilot Training (IPT) model.
Dec. 26, 2024
New Era Begins with Arrival of Poland’s F-35s at Ebbing ANGB

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The first pair of F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter aircraft arrived at Fort Smith’s Ebbing Air National Guard Base Dec. 23.The two aircraft belong to Poland and will be used to train Polish fighter pilots to use the newest generation jets.“The arrival of Poland’s