News

Feb. 4, 2020
Instructor pilots: Creating world-class aviators

In the U.S., an Air Force instructor pilot’s job is to nurture the transition of a casual officer into becoming a world-class aviator; instructor pilots feed the fight directly and have a significant role, not only in the Air Force, but the Department of Defense as a whole.
Jan. 28, 2020
ACC commander to pilot graduates ‘Your country needs you, the Air Force needs you’

Gen. Mike Holmes, the commander of Air Combat Command, was the guest speaker at the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 20-06/07’s graduation ceremony at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. He spoke of the skills and code of ethics involved with being a military pilot.
Dec. 26, 2019
Airmen trade blue stripes for gold bars, silver wings

Few things tell an Airman it’s time for a fresh uniform quite like swapping enlisted stripes for second lieutenant’s rank. For a pair of former airmen first class, now second lieutenants, their gold bars come with silver pilots’ wings.
Dec. 19, 2019
New Columbus pilots galvanized at graduation with speech

Col. Stephen Hodge, 314th Airlift Wing commander, delivered an inspirational speech at the graduation ceremony for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 20-04/05 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Dec. 13.
Nov. 17, 2019
89th AW talks mission, career opportunities with Airmen

Pilots and flight attendants from the 89th Airlift Wing made a special visit to Mobility’s Hometown on Nov. 7 to educate, recruit and showcase their mission to Mobility Airmen of the Mighty 97th.
Aug. 9, 2019
SUPT student soars to commander’s trophy

Officers from across the country join, for approximately 52 weeks, at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, in hopes to one day, wear the rated wings of a United States Air Force pilot.While successfully graduating from the program is the ultimate goal for these students, a select few have the ability to
June 12, 2019
F-16's, maintenance team from Holloman deploy for joint training with USMC

Airmen from the 314th FS and 314th AMU worked out of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, in San Diego, California, for a training exercise from May 29 to June 14, 2019.
March 14, 2019
IFF: Where fighter pilots begin their careers

Before pilots step into fighter aircraft, they must go through Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, an eight-week course designed to transform newly graduated pilots selected to fly fighters into fighter wingmen.
Feb. 6, 2019
56th ARS Flies Their First KC-46 Home

Since the announcement in 2014 that the KC-46a Pegasus was going to find its home with the 97th Air Mobility Wing, the base has been eagerly awaiting its arrival. No group has been more excited than the 56th Air Refueling Squadron, the KC-46 formal training unit assigned to Altus Air Force Base.
Feb. 3, 2019
What’s a 1Charlie?

Student and instructor pilots line the step desk as they organize their first flights for the day; through the window, the Mississippi sun can be seen casting a golden glow on aircraft as maintainers inspect and prepare them for launch.