Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas -- In a strategic move aimed at enhancing the United States Air Force's readiness for Great Power Competition (GPC), the Secretary of the Air Force directed Air Education and Training Command and development-focused components across the Air Force to reshape. The reshaping of institutional development functions under a single command is a critical component of the Department of the Air Force's broader efforts to re-optimize for GPC.
As part of this directive, Nineteenth Air Force (19th AF) was tasked with creating a Flying Training Center of Excellence (CoE). The center will leverage and expand upon the innovative work conducted over the past six years through various programs such as Pilot Training Next, Air Mobility Fundamentals, Fighter Bomber Fundamentals, and Pilot Training Transformation initiatives.
The Flying Training CoE will operate under the vision of providing “an advanced, modern, and fully transformed flying training environment focused on the learner who is enabled, equipped, and positioned to dominate the future fight." Its mission is to "acquire, establish, secure, sustain, and seamlessly integrate cutting-edge tools and instructor methods into a modern training system.”
The center has been given several specific tasks to achieve its mission. These tasks include developing and maintaining existing flying training syllabi and courseware, and the development, review, and refining of flying training competencies.
The establishment of the center represents a natural evolution of prior flying training transformation efforts. It positions 19th AF to continue advancing its capabilities by focusing on five key pillars through the lens of GPC: Quality Instructor Pilots, Student-Centered Learning, Use of Immersive Technology, Seamless Access to Quality Content, and Human Performance Optimization.
"The establishment of the Flying Training Center of Excellence is a significant step forward in our mission to develop the finest Airmen for the United States Air Force," said Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 19th AF commander. "This reorganization allows us to streamline our training programs, leverage the expertise of our instructors, and focus on the critical pillars that will ensure our Airmen are prepared to meet the challenges of Great Power Competition. By building on our past successes and incorporating the latest technology and techniques, we are creating a training environment that is second to none. The Flying Training Center of Excellence is a testament to our commitment to excellence and our unwavering dedication to the development of the most capable and adaptable Airmen."
The CoE will be instrumental in refining and enhancing pilot training programs, making use of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to provide a superior learning environment. This initiative is expected to set a new standard for pilot training, aligning with the strategic goals of the command and the broader Department of the Air Force.