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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.

 

 

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

Allvin calls for ‘Collective Agility’ in response to evolving strategic environment

  • Published
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
LONDON (AFNS) --  

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin emphasized the importance of “Collective Agility” during a keynote address to global leaders, industry partners, and academics in the air and space defense industry at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, July 18.

Allvin’s remarks directly reflected the GASCC 2024 focus – deterrence, the importance of interoperability and integration to deter adversaries, and how Air and Space Forces can work together to seamlessly counter future threats.

“Interoperability and a high-level of integration are the building blocks of Collective Agility,” Allvin said.

Collective Agility, as introduced and described by Allvin in London, expands upon his past statements that the U.S. Air Force must “solve for agility – initiating action in the right direction and building in the flexibility to learn and adjust while in motion. This is the spirit in which we must pursue the efforts to optimize for the environment we face.”

To Allvin, solving for agility means adapting to the threat with a new kind of speed, power, and balance. In doing so, the U.S. Air Force’s processes, operating procedures and decision-making will prove more responsive and effective in countering its pacing threat.

Collective Agility is achieved when every member of the fighting coalition is synchronized, acting and reacting in concert. Through dynamic and effective command and control, the entire coalition force package can have superior situational awareness and demonstrate the speed of recognition, decision, and action required to seize and maintain the initiative.

To demonstrate his point, Allvin showed imagery of birds flying in formation during his keynote. Each bird moves in perfect synchronization with its teammates; threats come, and the entire flock reacts as one.

“This is Collective Agility,” Allvin said. “It can be a new form of combat power.”

Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference

U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin emphasized the importance of “Collective Agility” during a keynote address to global leaders, industry partners and academics in the air and space defense industry at the Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London, United Kingdom, July 18, 2024. Collective Agility is achieved when every member of a fighting coalition is synchronized, acting and reacting in synchronization with each other. (Royal Air Force courtesy photo)
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In a primer authored by Allvin and submitted to the conference for publication, Allvin wrote, “A single bird in the air or a fish in the ocean uses agility to effectively navigate through their domain, but a flock of predatory Harris’ Hawks, or a school of barracudas are a force to be reckoned with. Their Collective Agility provides the movement and power to work together with tremendous effect. Individual squadrons throughout many of our air forces achieve this level of synchronicity. The challenge is synchronizing across larger, dissimilar units and, eventually across air forces.”

For collective agility to become a reality amongst the Air Force and its allies and partners, increased information sharing and the prioritization of mission systems over singular platforms is fundamental, Allvin said.

In the same primer, Allvin penned “Integration starts with us. Common values like respect for sovereignty, liberty, and the rule of law form the foundation of our relationships. These relationships translate into strategic real-time intelligence sharing and culminate in integrated battlespace activities. The multinational collaboration we’ve seen in support of Ukraine over the past 28 months is an example of what’s possible.”

In the document, he went on to cite NATO’s employment of standardized technology as a “promising first step” and described the rapid development of unmanned aerial systems, “embodying bleeding-edge lessons learned from the battlefield,” as another example of what can be accomplished with true collaboration.

Allvin concluded the primer stating “Agility must extend beyond battlefield capabilities and permeate the very fibers of our relationships, resulting in institutional — and eventually — Collective Agility. This is our destination. We’ll know we’ve reached it when, just like the school of fish as it changes direction, our actions appear seamless, guided by our common goals and enabled by our Collective Agility.”

“We can do this together,” he stated in his keynote. “This [Collective Agility] is the edge we can deliver over potential adversaries.”

Allvin also warned time is of the essence, which is why the Department of the Air Force is reoptimizing itself for Great Power Competition.

“The risk on inaction is going up,” Allvin said. “We have to open our eyes and look at the risks of inaction.”

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.