Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas -- Civic leaders from across Air Education and Training Command descended here Oct. 28-29, to get a closer look at the Air Force’s largest pilot producing base.
Col. Craig Prather, 47th Flying Training Wing commander, greeted the delegation, led by Maj. Gen. Andrea Tullos, Air Education and Training Command deputy commander, as they disembarked and made their way through the base’s fleet of heritage jets onto one of the Air Force’s busiest flight lines.
“The jets were a reminder of Laughlin’s history, but we know that the civic leaders had their eyes toward the future and how they can help support Laughlin, and other bases throughout the major command,” Prather said.
The events got under way with a mission brief from Prather where he described the 47th Flying Training Wing mission and the team’s relationships with local community members.
“What makes Laughlin special is that we are the largest pilot training engine,” said Prather. “We will have been here for 80 years in 2022 and the ties we have with the local community and the base, we’re inseparable, and one couldn’t exist without the other.”
During their visit, the group experienced the 47th FTW’s Undergraduate Pilot Training mission firsthand, trying their hands at piloting a simulated aircraft, and touring both the control tower and radar approach control.
“It gives us some good insight into what other military communities are doing to connect and engage with their bases,” said Henry Florsheim, AETC civic leader representing Sheppard AFB, Texas. “We can all learn from each other and that’s the real benefit of this program.”
“Collaborative events such as these lay the foundation for military and civilian leaders to inform and work together on topics of mutual interest, while continuing to advance AETC’s mission and transformation initiatives, for many years to come, Prather said.