Joint Base San Antonio > News

Last T-1 Jayhawk flight from JBSA-Randolph to Davis-Monthan AFB marks end of era
July 22, 2024 — The United States Air Force's T-1A Jayhawk made its final flight with the 99th Flying Training Squadron on Monday, July 15, soaring from Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. This historic journey marks the end of an era for the venerable trainer aircraft, which has been a cornerstone in the training of air mobility and combat systems officers for three decades... MORE

Col. Peter Lee takes command of 12th Flying Training Wing
July 16, 2024 — Col. Peter J.S. Lee assumed command of the 12th Flying Training Wing in a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on Friday, July 12, 2024. Col. Lee takes over from Col. Taylor T. Ferrell, who had led the unit since August 2022... MORE

19th Air Force command chief retires after 30-year career
June 10, 2024 — Families, friends, and coworkers said farewell and good luck to Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th Air Force command chief, during his retirement ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, on June 7, 2024... MORE

Sixteenth Air Force hosts Beale Military Liaison Council
April 23, 2024 — Sixteenth Air Force hosted the Beale Military Liaison Council to reinforce partnerships and afford the council a deeper understanding of the Information Warfare Numbered Air Force’s mission April 3-4... MORE

Council members try the pilot training simulators.

Maxwell Air Force Base welcomes first active duty flying training unit since 1945
February 1, 2024 — The 908th Airlift Wing has an active-duty associate mission partner at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama for the first time. Detachment 3 of the 58th Operations Group had an official activation ceremony on Jan. 31, 2024. Det. 3, and the 58th OG both belong to the 58th Special Operations Wing, based at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 58th SOW’s parent organization is the 19th Air Force located at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, which belongs to the Air Education and Training Command... MORE

SecAF takes closer look at JBSA missions
November 8, 2022 — Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall visited Joint Base San Antonio Nov. 4-5 to meet with leaders across Air Education and Training Command, Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Installation Management Support Command and Sixteenth Air Force... MORE

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall reads at a podium to a crowd of Airmen.

Stewart takes command of Nineteenth Air Force, continuing focus of accelerating change
August 22, 2022 — Maj. Gen. Phillip A. Stewart took command of the Nineteenth Air Force from Maj. Gen. Craig Wills during a change of command ceremony at Hanger 41 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Aug 19... MORE

Innovation continues with Det. 24’s change of command
June 14, 2022 — Lt. Col. Steve “Tiger” Briones took command of Detachment 24 from Lt. Col. Ryan “Motor” Riley during a change of command ceremony at the Kendrick Club at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph June 10. Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, Nineteenth Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and talked about the ground breaking progress within pilot training because of Det. 24. ... MORE

Empowering female Airmen across AETC, Torch Athena takes flight
May 26, 2022 — Torch Athena, a women’s initiative program, focused on educating, inspiring and empowering female Airmen across Air Education and Training Command made its debut during the Great Texas Air Show at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph April 22. The goal of this new program is to empower female Airmen at the start of their careers, providing resources and opportunities available to them... MORE

19th Air Force commander visits Alamo Wing
May 29, 2021 — The leadership of the 19th Air Force -- Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Kristina Rogers -- visited the 433rd Airlift Wing and the 733rd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland May 21... MORE

Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kristina Rogers, 19th AF command chief master sergeant, talk with Col. James C. “JC” Miller, 433rd Operations Group commander, in the cockpit of a C-5M Super Galaxy at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, May 21, 2021. Wills and Rogers toured the 433rd Airlift Wing and discussed the pilot training transformation initiative. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Wich)

AETC taking deliberate action focused on diversity, inclusion for recruits, Airmen
March 7, 2021 — Diversity and winning the next great power competition go hand-in-hand. Recognizing the value of having and developing agile thinkers at all levels of the Air Force who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, Air Education and Training Command leaders have taken deliberate actions focused on diversity and inclusion for both recruits and current Airmen and Guardians... MORE

AETC, Nineteenth Air Force host first Flying Training Virtual Industry Days to address pilot shortages
March 1, 2021 — Air Education and Training Command, in partnership with the Nineteenth Air Force, hosted the Flying Training Virtual Industry Days at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Feb. 24 and 26... MORE

Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force commander, discusses the various requests for information to industry during his opening remarks at the Flying Training Virtual Industry Day at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Feb. 24. The Flying Training Virtual Industry Day sought industry insight and perspective to address the current pilot shortage.

Nineteenth Air Force activates maintenance training center
October 30, 2020 — The Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center, located on the south end of Hangar 62 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, will start producing a new generation of trainer aircraft maintenance technicians for Air Education and Training Command’s 19th Air Force when classes begin in the near future. ... MORE

Brian Bastow, Nineteenth Air Force logistics requirements branch chief, cuts a ribbon held by Chris Padeni, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance training superintendent (right), and Dean Jeavons, Nineteenth Air Force maintenance requirements section chief (left), during the Nineteenth Air Force Maintenance Training Center activation ceremony Oct. 29, 2020, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

Op Blue Hero: 97th AMW transports BMT grads to Keesler for technical training
March 31, 2020 — A C-17 Globemaster III aircrew assigned to the 58th Airlift Squadron at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, supported the transport of the Air Force’s newest Basic Military Training graduates from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, to their technical training school at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 20, 2020... MORE

A C-17 airplane taxis into a parking spot

Formal trainer aircraft maintenance training returning after long hiatus
March 13, 2020 — All is quiet inside the newly renovated south end of Hangar 62 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, but in a matter of months the 15,000-square-foot area will hum with activity as instructors mold a new generation of Air Force trainer aircraft technicians... MORE

An Aircraft maintainer standing on a platform to conduct maintenance on a T-38 cockpit inside a hangar.

Operational height waivers focus of latest "The Air Force Starts Here" podcast
January 14, 2020 — The 23rd episode of "The Air Force Starts Here," Air Education and Training Command's podcast series, focuses on flying training and was released Jan. 14. ... MORE

"The Air Force Starts Here" is Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast. The professional development podcasts are designed to help communicate and inform Total Force Airmen across the globe on relevant, timely topics related to the recruiting, training, education and development fields and can be listened to on the government network on the AETC website, or via mobile application as well as on Apple Podcasts (iTunes). For Android or Google mobile users, the podcast can be found on their favorite third-party podcast phone application. (U.S. Air Force graphic / 1st Lt. Robert Guest)

Aspiring Air Force pilots: Don’t let height standards get in the way
November 7, 2019 — Those who aspire to one day become a U.S. Air Force aviator must first meet several requirements, including height, before they are considered for pilot training. For those who fall outside of the Air Force’s height requirements, height waivers are available... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nick Harris (left) and Capt. Jessica Wallander, instructor pilots with the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., stand side-by-side to illustrate the varying standing heights of Air Force pilots to dispel the myth that there is one height standard for all Air Force pilots. Height waivers are available for candidates that do not meet AFI 48-123 standards. If you are interested in learning more about height waivers, work with your commission source or contact the Air Force Call Center at 1-800-423-USAF. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy Photo)

Wills takes command of 19th Air Force overseeing flying training
June 13, 2019 — With the sounds of freedom and flying training as the backdrop, Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills took the reins of the 19th Air Force from Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty during a change of command ceremony at Hangar 4 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, June 13, 2019... MORE

Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, passes the 19th Air Force guidon to Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, during the 19th Air Force change of command ceremony June 13, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The numbered Air Force oversees 19 training locations, with 17 Total Force wings, 11 active duty, one Air Force Reserve and five Air National Guard units. More than 32,000 members of the 19th Air Force operate more than 1,600 aircraft from 29 different aircraft models. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean M. Worrell)

19th Air Force change of command set for June 13
June 11, 2019 — Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty will pass the 19th Air Force guidon to Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills during a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. June 13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Hangar 4... MORE

Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Doherty will pass the 19th Air Force guidon to Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills during a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. June 13 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph’s Hangar 4.

Pilot Training Next innovations moving to undergraduate pilot training
March 14, 2019 — Beginning May 31, 2019, flying training wings across Air Education and Training Command will formally begin integrating innovations from Pilot Training Next into the undergraduate pilot training curriculum,19th Air Force officials announced at the PTN Technology Expo held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 12-13... MORE

Staff Sgt. Joseph Sabin, Air Education and Training Command Technology Integrated Detachment, flies a virtual-reality sortie at the Pilot Training Next Technology Expo at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 12. Technology currently being used at PTN was on display at the expo and subject matter experts and technology vendors were available to talk with attendees.