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JBSA News
NEWS | Sept. 17, 2024

559th Flying Training Squadron molds instructor pilots, secures future of training

By Jonathan Mallard 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The 559th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph flies more than 6,000 hours annually in a fleet of 38 T-6A Texan II aircraft, focusing on basic pilot qualifications and the specialized training of instructor pilots.

These instructor pilots play a pivotal role in mentoring and preparing future aviators, ensuring the continued excellence of U.S. and allied air forces.

By qualifying more than 200 pilots each year, including instructor pilots, the 559th FTS directly contributes to maintaining a robust and capable pilot training system, vital for national security and global operations.

Entirely manned by civil servants, the 12th Maintenance Group is essential to the U.S. Air Force’s mission by ensuring the operational readiness of aircraft critical to the training pipeline.

The group supports more than 40,000 flight hours annually across six training squadrons, and plays a crucial role in maintaining the aircraft that enable the 12th FTW to train the next generation of military pilots and instructor pilots.

By keeping these aircraft mission-ready, the 12th Maintenance Group ensures that the Air Force can consistently produce well-trained aviators to sustain global air superiority and meet the demands of national defense.