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12th Flying Training Wing

The 12th Flying Training Wing, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, develops the next generation of Air Force aviators and enlisted aircrew by providing world-class flying training and education. The wing trains Airmen in the fundamentals of airmanship, instruction and leadership, preparing them for success in operational units across the Air Force. Through undergraduate Combat Systems Officer training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilot indoctrination, enlisted aviator training, and other specialized programs, the 12th FTW produces skilled, adaptable, and combat-ready professionals capable of meeting the demands of today's complex operating environment while strengthening the future of American airpower.

 

 

12FTW Units

aircraft mechanic, performs maintenance 12th Maintenance Group
12th Maintenance Group
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Photo of an undergaraduate combat systems officer graduation 479th Flying Training Group
479th Flying Training Group
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An Airman inspects an aircraft 12th Operations Group
12th Operations Group
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Articles

62nd FS pilots, maintainers prepare for Red Flag

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Dominic Tyler
  • 56th Fighter Wing

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.-- U.S. and international student pilots enrolled in the F-35A Lightning II B-course are preparing for Red Flag Exercise 21-2, one of the largest aerial combat simulations the U.S. Air Force has to offer.

Three U.S. pilots and five Norwegian pilots assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron began B-course July 28, 2020. During the 9-month course, instructors transform the student pilots into combat-ready Airmen for the F-35A Lightning II.

“B-coursers are typically the newest students, and the F-35 is their first fighter jet,” said Capt. Alexander Young, 62nd FS F-35 instructor pilot. “With this course, these student pilots will learn and develop the habit patterns they will likely use for the rest of their careers.”

By the end of the B-course, each student will be fully qualified in the F-35.

Young said Red Flag offers the students exposure to simulated combat operations in a safe, controlled environment. The students will employ the tactics they have learned in B-course during the training.

Developed in 1975 to better prepare the Air Force for combat, Red Flag is the Air Force’s primere air-to-air combat training exercise conducted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. A typical Red Flag exercise fields 60 or more aircraft including fighters, bombers, reconnaissance, airlift, air refueling and search and rescue aircraft from the U.S. and international partner nations.

“Our class has been working toward Red Flag since we started the B-course back in August,” said 1st Lt. Tyler Dockum, 62nd FS F-35 B-course student pilot. “It’s awesome to see all the effort that goes into making this course happen.”

Young said that though these students are working hard to prepare for Red Flag, preparing for this event would not be possible without the hard work of the maintenance team.

Capt. Uddit Patel, 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit officer in charge, said the 62nd FS has increased sortie production in the weeks leading up to the exercise to ensure the B-course students are fully prepared for the experience, and maintainers have been working behind the scenes ensuring the aircraft are available for the pilots.

“Our mission at the 62nd Aircraft Maintenance Unit is to provide safe, reliable aircraft to our fighter squadron,” says Patel. “We have ensured the jets are in the best flying condition. Red Flag is also a great way for our maintainers to gain experience and show their skills.”

During Red Flag, pilots and maintainers plan and execute a simulated major combat operation with dissimilar aircraft and an array of experienced Airmen from around the world.

“To have multiple different nationalities in one room executing a large force exercise together is rare to see anywhere else,” said Young. “Red Flag is a chance for our students to put what they’ve learned so far to the test and expand their depth of experience in operations with a lot of different aircraft.”

He added that the 62nd FS and 62nd AMU lean on one another to achieve Luke’s mission in training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.

Public Affairs Information

Tours of the 12th Flying Training Wing are provided to various community organizations, high schools, businesses, and academic military recruitment programs to educate their members about the 12th FTW mission.

Due to the high volume of requests and limited public affairs resources, tours and static displays are limited.

Please submit all requests in writing to the 12th FTW Public Affairs by email to 12ftw.pa.1@us.af.mil at least three weeks but no more than six weeks in advance. You may also call 210-652-1272.

Tours are not available on weekends and may be cancelled at any time because of increased security measures or mission requirements. The 12th FTW does not host tours of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph at-large. To schedule a tour of JBSA-Randolph, please contact JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs at 502abw.pa.official@us.af.mil or dial 210-652-4410.

If desired, requestors must arrange all meals. PA will provide contact information to base eateries. Modified tours will be granted for those with limited mobility - this must be stated on the tour request. If not stated, it is assumed that mobility is not an issue.