JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Members of
the 12th Flying Training Wing explained the flying training missions taking
place at Seguin Auxiliary Airfield for City of Seguin leaders and residents Nov.
13 during the Seguin Auxiliary Airfield Open House.
Originally
built in 1941, Seguin Auxiliary Airfield reopened for flying operations Jan. 20
following a $13.4 million repaving and construction project
that included replacing and grading the entire airfield, stabilizing existing
soils, and constructing a new taxiway, parking apron and emergency access road.
“With this space
you have provided us, members of the 560th Flying Training Squadron are able to
practice procedures that will keep America’s Airmen safe ,” Col. David Drichta,
12th Operations Group commander, said. “The next generation of these Airmen
starts with great instructors, which is what we will be creating here.”
The open
house provided Seguin city leaders and residents a first-hand look at what it
takes to train the next generation of Air Force pilot instructors and pilots.
Aircraft static displays and support equipment were available to view during
the open house.
After
training and flying with members of the 560th FTS Nov. 12
at JBSA-Randolph, City of Seguin Mayor Don Keil said he “gained a greater
appreciation” for the degree of expertise required to accomplish the mission.
“The Seguin
community is grateful to host these talented, dedicated and patriotic individuals,”Keil
said. “We recognize the important role this airfield serves in the training
missions taking place here and we’re proud to do our part to help defend the
nation.”
The reopening of Seguin Auxiliary Airfield allows a
30 percent increase in flying operations for the 560th Flying Training
Squadron, which qualifies fighter and bomber pilots as instructor pilots in the
T-38C Talon. The squadron currently flies a total of 9,700 hours annually in a
fleet of 39 aircraft and produces an average of 132 graduates per year.