JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The Nineteenth Air Force hosted a three-day, in-person training session, Undergraduate Pilot Training University, bringing together leaders from across the command to discuss all aspects of undergraduate pilot training.
The event, held Sept. 27-29 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, included wing commanders, deputy commanders, command chiefs, and squadron commanders. The session kicked off with a welcome address from Maj. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 19th Air Force commander.
Key topics covered during the training included pilot training status, the future of UPT, timeline management, safety protocols, resource methodologies, syllabus coordination process, Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training (CRAFT), maintenance metrics, and an update on the T-7A Red Hawk trainer aircraft.
Col. Peter Lee, 12th Flying Training Wing commander, gave his thoughts on attending UPT University for the first time. “This was a good opportunity to meet my peers and hear their perspectives and challenges,” Lee said. “At the 12th FTW, we work to provide our customers with a quality product, so we are hyper-focused on making sure our instructor pilots meet and exceed UPT expectations.”
The third day featured a tour of Detachment 24, where participants were introduced to emerging technologies, including the Enhanced Immersive Training Device (e-ITD) and Project Lumenix, which are being implemented in the Fighter Bomber Fundamentals (FBF) program. These advancements aim to revolutionize how pilots are trained by improving simulation and training realism.
Before the event concluded, attendees gathered for a group photo, followed by closing remarks delivered by Brig. Gen. Derek Salmi, Nineteenth Air Force deputy commander.
“Overall it was a great opportunity to get the wing commanders together and meet the Nineteenth Air Force staff and have some great cross-talk,” said Col. Tyler Ellison 47th Flying Training Wing commander, “I think every base is unique but there are many common challenges we all share, learning how to be more efficient in syllabus execution was definitely a valuable takeaway this week.
The next UPT University will be held in March of 2025.