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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

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen’s and CMSAF Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen and Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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race car kicks up smoke as it makes the sharp turn

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass participates in a ride-along with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass joined Sorensen for a lap around the track where Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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woman in uniform shakes the hand of a young man

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass meets U.S. Marine Corps Marines while greeting Formula Drift patrons in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass had the opportunity to meet current service members and veterans while she was visiting the recruiting booth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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  • Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbird F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen’s and CMSAF Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass joins Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, to pass out U.S. Air Force recruiting merchandise to Sorensen Motorsports fans in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. A crowd gathered in front of the USAF Thunderbirds F-16 Fighting Falcon where the Sorensen and Bass distributed USAF recruiting merchandise to the fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • race car kicks up smoke as it makes the sharp turn

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass participates in a ride-along with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass joined Sorensen for a lap around the track where Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • woman in uniform shakes the hand of a young man

    Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass meets U.S. Marine Corps Marines while greeting Formula Drift patrons in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Bass had the opportunity to meet current service members and veterans while she was visiting the recruiting booth. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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CMSAF meets high-speed recruiters, Sorensen team at motorsport drifting event

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell
  • Headquarters Air Force Recruiting Service
IRWINDALE, Calif. (AFNS) --  

It wasn’t just any other day in beautiful Southern California. A sunny, picturesque day with temperatures in the low 80s. If you didn’t know any better, you would have thought that a fog had rolled in just as the festivities had begun. But no, that smoke accompanied by the distinct scent of burnt rubber is exactly why thousands of fans congregated together at the Irwindale Speedway; it was race day.

Motorsport fans traveled from all over to attend the Formula Drift event, Oct. 14. U.S. Air Force recruiters with the 369th Recruiting Squadron, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves spent the morning showing the F-16 Fighting Falcon static display that sat to the left of the hangar, an interactive recruiting asset that allows the public to try their hand at three Air Force specialties; aircraft maintenance, metal fabrication and a virtual reality simulation of in-flight refueling operations. The recruiting setup drew attention from a variety of patrons, but it isn’t every day when the Air Force’s highest enlisted leader pays a visit.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass operates a virtual reality in-flight refueling simulation at the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth supporting a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway in Irwindale, CA, Oct. 14, 2023. The VR recruiting asset allows the public to challenge themselves by virtually operating a simulated aerial refueling boom, giving fuel to three different aircraft in a short amount of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass operates an in-flight refueling virtual reality simulation at the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth supporting a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. The VR recruiting asset allows the public to challenge themselves by virtually operating a simulated aerial refueling boom, giving fuel to three different aircraft in a short amount of time. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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woman in uniform sits in racecar next to driver

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass takes a picture with Amanda Sorensen, an Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored driver, in Sorensen’s U.S. Air Force-branded stock car at a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. Sorensen parked her car in front of the USAF recruiting booth where she and her brother, Branden, did meet-and-greets and signed autographs for fans. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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woman in uniform holds phone up into the sun to take a selfie with two race car drivers

Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass takes a selfie with Branden and Amanda Sorensen, Air Force Recruiting Service-sponsored drivers, in front of the U.S. Air Force recruiting booth during a Formula Drift event at the Irwindale Speedway, Calif., Oct. 14, 2023. The Sorensen’s spent time at the recruiting booth where they met with fans and Airmen while promoting the USAF to the crowd. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Colin Hollowell)
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Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass’ first stop of the day was spent meeting recruiters who were supporting the event, where she had the opportunity to recognize a few Airmen who had been identified by 369th RCS leadership as superior performers.

“These three individuals have really embraced the challenges that we have faced in the Air Force Recruiting Service this year,” said Chief Master Sgt. Jeff Kelloway, 369th RCS senior enlisted leader. “They have really strived to master their craft and improve their skills, and really have exceeded on all fronts this year despite those challenges; we couldn’t be more impressed with their actions and what they have accomplished.”

Tech. Sgt. Aaron Munoz-Case, one of the three recruiters recognized, was celebrated by his leadership for his initiative to lean into utilizing social media to reach a wider audience, something that Bass shared that she can relate to. Munoz-Case said he was excited to meet a senior leader who understands the value of social media as a communication platform.

“I really appreciate that she recognizes the need for Air Force recruiters and leaders to have a digital footprint,” Munoz-Case said. “I think it helps us reach potential applicants from all walks of life and allows us to connect with communities who may not know what being an Airman is all about.”

Munoz-Case said that her recognition motivated him but he was especially inspired after she joined their team to interact with Formula Drift patrons.

Bass spent time sharing her Air Force story and conversing with several of the motorsports fans who took the time to stop in and experience the recruiting booth. After talking with several potential future Airmen, Bass was in for a thrill as she continued to her next stop of the day’s events.

Bass met with Amanda Sorensen, AFRS-sponsored driver, who daringly invited her to join in a joyride in the Air Force-branded, high-performance stock car. Sorensen showcased her professional driving abilities by expertly balancing speed and control while drifting around the track, filling the stadium with the smoke and aroma of burnt rubber. Sorensen exited the track to drive Bass to meet her brother, Branden, who is also an AFRS-sponsored Formula Drift driver, at the recruiting booth where the trio met fans and signed autographs.

"I couldn’t be more excited about the partnership that the Air Force has with Team Sorensen, I think between that partnership and events like this, it allows us to connect with a diverse demographic of people from all ages and economic backgrounds, and that is important to our Air Force." Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass

Among the fans in the crowd were an especially proud group of soon-to-be Airmen and their families. Bass took a moment to personally congratulate the young men and women who were minutes away from reciting the oath of enlistment on the track during the evening’s opening ceremony.

Following the opening ceremony, the crowd roared with a combination of praise for the patriotic introduction and excitement for the day’s main event. Bass finished the evening enjoying the Formula Drift event, but she spent the day experiencing something uniquely special. Bass witnessed two key moments in the recruiting process; an applicant’s introduction to the Air Force and the recruit’s reciting the oath that every enlisted service member, past, present and future decrees to gain admittance into the armed services.

“It was really inspiring to get to spend time with our recruiters who are out there looking for the next generation of Airmen,” Bass said. “I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet some of their recruits and hear their ‘why’ before watching those 18 young men and women raise their right hands and make that commitment in front of 45,000 fans. It’s a reminder to everyone of what makes us the world’s greatest Air Force.”

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.