JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
The demand for flying training caused by the United States' entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor resulted in the creation of the Air Corps Flying Training Command Jan. 23, 1942.
Today marks Air Education and Training Command's 70th anniversary. After several re-designations, the Air Corps Flying Training Command became Air Training Command and finally Air Education and Training Command, headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph.
AETC recruits, assesses, commissions, educates and trains Air Force enlisted and officer personnel. It provides basic military training, initial and advanced technical training, flying training, and professional military and degree-granting professional education.
The command also conducts joint medical service, readiness and training to build partnerships with foreign air forces.
Training conducted at AETC bases provides the major Air Force commands and combatant commanders with skilled, expert Airmen who are able to perform at the highest level whether they are at home running nuclear enterprises or overseas in war zones.
Today, AETC consists of 12 bases and is hosted at four more. The command is home to more than 56,000 active-duty members, 16,000 civilians and 4,000 Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve personnel. More than 6,000 Airmen from AETC are also deployed around the world in today's fight.
"Major transformations in training and education came to AETC after the Persian Gulf War and 1992 was designated the "Year of Training," Ann Hussey, AETC historian, said.
The initiative to create a single and consistent education and training structure for officer, enlisted and civilian personnel led to AETC's current designation.
"The 'Year of Training' revamped the Air Force's education and training requiring all enlisted personnel attend technical training," Hussey said. "The goal was to make all Air Force members mission ready upon arrival at their first duty station."
The Air Force merged Air University and ATC July 1, 1993, re-designating the command to AETC. The command gained two numbered Air Forces, the 19th Air Force to oversee flying training from JBSA-Randolph, and the Second Air Force to manage basic and technical training from Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
Hussey said what is most significant at AETC today is its focus on modernization and enhancing the level of education for all Airmen.
"New advanced weapons systems, such as the C-130 J at Little Rock AFB, Ark., the F-22 at Tyndall AFB, Fla., the F-35 at Eglin AFB, Fla., and the CV-22 at Kirtland AFB, N.M., requires highly skilled trainers, pilots and maintainers," Hussey said.
Throughout its history, AETC, known as the "First Command," has been committed to creating innovative training and education programs built on the achievements and hard work of thousands of dedicated men and women.
AETC's foundation for success in the Air Force will continue to advance its programs "to develop America's Airmen today... for tomorrow."