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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

Mrs. Jacqueline Melcher (88th Civil Engineering Group, Installation Management Division chief and Col Layne Trosper Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, talk at a scenic outlook in the Badlands National Park on Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota on Jan. 26, 2024.

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Mrs. Jacqueline Melcher (left) 88th Civil Engineering Group, Installation Management Division chief and Col Layne Trosper (right) Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, talk at a scenic outlook in the Badlands National Park on Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota on Jan. 26, 2024. A team of Airmen and Guardians part of the Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) visited the reservation and engaged with local High School students in a massive recruiting effort to reach underserved and more rural schools. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
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Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, conducts the oath of enlistment at the Snocross Championship in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Jan. 27, 2024.

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Col. Layne Trosper (left), Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, conducts the oath of enlistment at the Snocross Championship in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Jan. 27, 2024. Seven recruits confirmed their commitment to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
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Air and Space Force recruiters pose for a photo at Central High School, rapid City, South Dakota, on Jan. 25, 2024.

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From left to right: Second Lieutenant Nicholas Kowalski, 348th Recruiting Squadron gold bar recruiter, Tech. Sgt. Darrel Charlee, Air Force Inspection Agency client system supervisor, Master Sgt. Damian Bumm, 343rd Recruiting Squadron U.S. Space Force recruiter, Staff Sgt. Garrett Anderlik, 21st Aerospace Medical Group technician, Capt. Miranda Simmons, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Officer, Staff Sgt. Marvis LaMere, 349th Recruiting Squadron U.S. Space Force recruiter, Master Sgt. Frances Dupris, 319th Combat Training Squadron Advanced Training director and Staff Sgt. Dylan Morris, 343rd Recruiting Squadron enlisted accessions recruiter, pose for a photo at Central High School, rapid City, South Dakota, on Jan. 25, 2024. The Airmen visited the school representing the Indigenous National Equality Team (INET) and discussed both Air Force opportunities and INETs missions. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Mrs. Jacqueline Melcher (88th Civil Engineering Group, Installation Management Division chief and Col Layne Trosper Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, talk at a scenic outlook in the Badlands National Park on Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota on Jan. 26, 2024.

    240126-F-BM731-6137

    Mrs. Jacqueline Melcher (left) 88th Civil Engineering Group, Installation Management Division chief and Col Layne Trosper (right) Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, talk at a scenic outlook in the Badlands National Park on Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota on Jan. 26, 2024. A team of Airmen and Guardians part of the Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) visited the reservation and engaged with local High School students in a massive recruiting effort to reach underserved and more rural schools. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, conducts the oath of enlistment at the Snocross Championship in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Jan. 27, 2024.

    240127-F-BM731-9590

    Col. Layne Trosper (left), Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander, conducts the oath of enlistment at the Snocross Championship in Deadwood, South Dakota, on Jan. 27, 2024. Seven recruits confirmed their commitment to serve in the U.S. Air Force during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • Air and Space Force recruiters pose for a photo at Central High School, rapid City, South Dakota, on Jan. 25, 2024.

    240125-F-BM731-1451

    From left to right: Second Lieutenant Nicholas Kowalski, 348th Recruiting Squadron gold bar recruiter, Tech. Sgt. Darrel Charlee, Air Force Inspection Agency client system supervisor, Master Sgt. Damian Bumm, 343rd Recruiting Squadron U.S. Space Force recruiter, Staff Sgt. Garrett Anderlik, 21st Aerospace Medical Group technician, Capt. Miranda Simmons, Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Officer, Staff Sgt. Marvis LaMere, 349th Recruiting Squadron U.S. Space Force recruiter, Master Sgt. Frances Dupris, 319th Combat Training Squadron Advanced Training director and Staff Sgt. Dylan Morris, 343rd Recruiting Squadron enlisted accessions recruiter, pose for a photo at Central High School, rapid City, South Dakota, on Jan. 25, 2024. The Airmen visited the school representing the Indigenous National Equality Team (INET) and discussed both Air Force opportunities and INETs missions. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Air Force Recruiting Service partners with the Indigenous Nations Equality Team and Scheuring Speed Sports in outreach events across South Dakota

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind
  • HQ Air Force Recruiting Service
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --  

The Air Force Recruiting Service, along with the Department of the Air Force Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET), traveled to various locations across western South Dakota from January 25-27, 2024, in an effort to increase Air Force and Space Force awareness to Native American communities.

“INET has been instrumental in providing a bridge for the Department of the Air Force to engage with youth from tribal communities,” said Col. Layne Trosper, Air Force Recruiting Service deputy commander. “They brought us in and shared their community with us and gave Air Force recruiters an opportunity to educate students about opportunities in the Air Force and Space Force.”

The mission of INET is to provide pivotal advocacy for American Indian and Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) within the Air Force and Space Force through policy changes, recruitment and outreach, and community support, to preserve culture and honor traditions. For the South Dakota recruiting events, participating INET members received an exception to policy to wear regalia, demonstrating professional appearance and honoring their respective tribe’s culture. 

The official logo for the Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) created by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anastacia Rodriguez, 6th Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman, and her father, James Cody, a member of the Navajo Nation and experienced artisan. The logo consists of symbols used to depict indigenous people and their military affiliation. (Courtesy Photo)

The official logo for the Indigenous Nations Equality Team (INET) created by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Anastacia Rodriguez, 6th Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion craftsman, and her father, James Cody, a member of the Navajo Nation and experienced artisan. The logo consists of symbols used to depict indigenous people and their military affiliation. (Courtesy Photo)
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“Words cannot express how I feel returning to my homeland and sharing my Air Force and Space Force experience with future generations,” said Master Sgt. Frances Dupris, INET senior enlisted lead. “I see much potential in the youth and I want them to have the ability to follow their dreams post high school or college.”

Members from INET, Air Force recruiters, Airmen from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, and the U.S. Air Force’s Wild Blue country band partnered to reach underserved communities, sharing their Air Force experience and path into military service in an effort to educate youth on additional opportunities and career paths.

“The collaborative efforts from recruiters, INET members, the Wild Blue band and Ellsworth Airmen is a testament to how much we can accomplish when we work together in recruiting,” said Trosper. “It really is true that we are all recruiters, and I think we’ve demonstrated it well these past few days.” 

Tech. Sgt. Robert Wolfe, Wild Blue country band guitarist, performs a guitar solo for students from Lakota Technical High School, South Dakota, on Jan. 26, 2024.

Tech. Sgt. Robert Wolfe, Wild Blue country band guitarist, performs a guitar solo for students from Lakota Technical High School, South Dakota, on Jan. 26, 2024. The Wild Blue is a U.S. Air Force band from the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, that performs concerts across the United States to raise Air Force awareness and bring morale. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
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The outreach events were collaborative efforts with Scheuring Speed Sports, which the Air Force sponsors in the AMSOIL Championship Snocross series. Scheuring Speed Sports offers a “Race to the Future” scholarship to recognize high school and post-secondary students at each of the eight AMSOIL Championship Snocross series tour stops.

“The Air Force is my favorite sponsor,” said Steve Scheuring, Scheuring Speed Sports owner. “My father served in the Air Force and partnering with the Air Force for over 20 years now has truly been my honor.”

Scheuring Speed Sports presented the scholarship at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology to the Tiospaye Program. Tiospaye is a Native American Dakota word meaning extended family and relates to kinships. The Tiospaye program is for all Native Americans attending the South Dakota School of Mines. 

Steve Scheuring, owner of Scheuring Speed Sports presents the “Race to the Future” scholarship at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota on Jan. 25, 2024.

Steve Scheuring, owner of Scheuring Speed Sports presents the “Race to the Future” scholarship at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota on Jan. 25, 2024. Schuering partners with the U.S. Air Force and awards the scholarship to local schools along with the local Air Force recruiter. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jessica Kind)
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In total, the outreach events from January 25-27 reached over five thousand youth from across South Dakota.

“It was a huge success and I look forward to doing something like this every year,” said Trosper.

If you are interested in learning more about the Air Force or Space Force please visit airforce.com or spaceforce.com.

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.