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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.

Flying training commander gets first ride in next-gen fighter and bomber trainer
December 4, 2018 — The 19th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, became the first Air Force Airman to get a sortie and a first-hand look at the capabilities of the next-generation fighter and bomber trainer at Boeing’s St. Louis facilities Nov. 27... MORE

Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, gets ready for a T-X familiarization sortie at the Boeing facility in St. Louis, Nov. 27, 2018. The T-X trainer will help the service increase the lethality and readiness of future pilots in both under- and graduate-level training courses due to its advanced training capabilities.

AETC announces 2018 flying training awards
November 15, 2018 — The 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, flew away with the top flying training wing honors for 2018 during the Air Education and Training Command Flying Training Awards ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Oct. 26... MORE

Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, presents the Top Wing of Wings Award to Col. Corey Simmons, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, during the Air Education and Training Command Flying Training Awards Ceremony Oct. 26, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The award ceremony recognizes individuals, squadrons, groups and wings whose efforts have led to the highest levels of student production.

560th Flying Training Squadron talks teamwork, trust with UTSA women's basketball team
October 4, 2018 — Members of the University of Texas San Antonio women’s basketball team visited Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Sept. 25. The visit gave the team a chance to talk to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and commitment... MORE

Members of the University of Texas San Antonio Women’s Basketball Team pose for a photo with Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander, and members of the 560th Flying Training Squadron Sept. 25, 2018, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The UTSA Women’s Basketball Team visited JBSA-Randolph to speak to Airmen about the importance of teamwork and commitment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stormy Archer)