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Air Force officials announce certain tour length changes
July 2, 2019 — After listening to feedback from Airmen and career field managers, Air Force officials are reducing targeted special duty and instructor tour lengths to create a more ready and resilient force... MORE

Airmen stand in formation during a Military Training Leader course graduation ceremony at the Levitow Training Support Facility on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 30. The MTL course is responsible for training approximately 120 MTLs per year. Those MTLs are then responsible for training approximately 30,000 Airmen in 49 different locations that fall under Air Education and Training Command.

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.

Security Forces initial skills training focus of latest “Developing Mach-21 Airmen” podcast
May 31, 2019 — Legacy, innovation, technology and an AFWERX partnership at the Security Forces Academy schoolhouse are the focus of episode 10 of "Developing Mach-21 Airmen," Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast series, which released May 28... MORE

The "Developing Mach-21 Airmen" podcast provides visibility on emerging issues in the recruiting, training, education and development of Total Force Airmen, as well as impactful insight on leadership and lessons learned from the field through conversations with subject matter experts and leaders, in an easy-to-listen to format available on demand

Innovation in the Cloud(s): Inside AETC’s Push for Mobile Applications in the Cockpit
May 3, 2019 — The success of electronic flight bags in the operational Air Force has encouraged Air Education and Training Command to find a way to integrate the technology earlier in an aviator’s career, enhancing training through digital efficiency... MORE

2nd Lt. Lucas Erickson, 12th Training Squadron student pilot and electronic flight bag technician, organizes iPad tablets in a specialized charging and upload cabinet, May 3, 2019, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. The team at 12th TRS uses this equipment to expedite the issue and maintenance of the EFB inventory across JBSA-Randolph.

OTS beta courses aim to test shortened commissioning program for senior NCOs
May 2, 2019 — Air Education and Training Command officials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph are reimagining how Airmen are developed and have proposed two beta course tests that would shorten the officer commissioning program for senior noncommissioned officers... MORE

Officer Training School cadets in OTS class 16-07 take the oath of office during their graduation parade at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, June 17, 2016. In April 2019, Maxwell Air Force Base announced two beta courses, called Officer Training School-Accelerated Commissioning Program, that will shorten OTS from 40 training days to 14 training days for selected senior NCOs.

T-38 endures as stellar training aircraft 60 years after maiden flight
April 5, 2019 — The T-38 Talon prototype embarked on its maiden flight as the Air Force’s first supersonic trainer on April 10, 1959. Sixty years later, the sleek aircraft developed by the Northrop Corp. continues to meet the service’s training needs... MORE

A scanned image from the Wingspread published in 1961 with a photo of the first T-38 to arrive at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

AETC sub-app on AF Connect
March 25, 2019 — The Air Education and Training Command’s sub-app is now live in AF Connect, the new Air Force-wide mobile app. AF Connect augments command communication by placing multiple resources in a single location, making it easier than ever to stay up to date and in touch with a command... MORE

An illustration of the AF Connect app and Air Education and Training Command's sub-app. AF Connect is a mobile app that augments command communication by placing multiple resources in a single location.

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.

"Developing Mach-21 Airmen" talks innovation, future learning environment in episode four
March 8, 2019 — The fourth episode of "Developing Mach-21 Airmen," Air Education and Training Command's professional development podcast series, was released March 7... MORE

'Fire Pit' provides creative space, assistance to AETC innovators
March 6, 2019 — With an eye towards continuing development of a world-class culture of innovation, Air Education and Training Command officially opened the “Fire Pit” with a ribbon cutting ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph March 5... MORE

Sean Harrington, Air Education and Training Command Innovation Advancement Division lead, highlights the capabilities of the "Fire Pit" to Col. Jason Lamb, AETC's Director of Intelligence, Analysis, and Innovation, March 5, 2019, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Mirrored to the wing level Spark Cell variant, the "Fire Pit" is AETC’s effort to invigorate innovation and support grassroots initiatives in a collaborative space designed to incubate and accelerate innovation initiatives and build a network with industry, academia, and the Department of Defense to provide rapid solutions to the needs of the warfighter.

AETC recognizes 2018 Outstanding Airmen of the Year
February 28, 2019 — Air Education and Training Command honored 11 Airmen and eight civilians as the the command’s 2018 winners of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year Feb. 26, 2019, during a ceremony in Orlando, Florida. The OAY awards are presented annually, recognizing the top officer, enlisted and civilian members of the command. Winners will compete at Air Force level. Aspects of consideration for Airmen to be nominated for OAY include superior leadership, job performance, community involvement and personal achievements... MORE

Winners of the 2018 Air Education and Training Command Outstanding Airmen of the Year awards stand with Maj. Gen. Mark Weatherington (third from left) and command chief of AETC, Chief Master Sgt. Juliet Gudgel (fourth from left) during a ceremony in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 26, 2019. A total of 21 Airmen were recognized at the event and move on to the the Air Force-level competition.

AETC partners with university to expand virtual reality trainer’s capabilities
February 15, 2019 — Air Education and Training Command is partnering with a South Dakota-based university known for its science and engineering curriculum to enhance the capabilities of the virtual reality trainers used in pilot training... MORE

Dr. Jeff McGough, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Computer Science and Engineering Department head, evaluates a virtual reality trainer sent from Air Education and Training Command’s Pilot Training Next program. A technology team at the school has begun work on improving the trainer used in pilot training.

AETC launches podcast focused on “Developing Mach-21 Airmen”
February 11, 2019 — Air Education and Training Command has launched a new professional development podcast to help communicate and inform Total Force Airmen across the globe on relevant, timely topics related to the recruiting, training, education and development fields... MORE

Changes at HQ AETC focus on force development efforts
January 29, 2019 — Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, announced changes to Headquarters AETC and to 2nd and 19th Numbered Air Force organizations Jan. 28, in order to refocus the headquarters on force development efforts... MORE

Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, announced changes to Headquarters AETC and to 2nd and 19th Numbered Air Force organizations today, in order to refocus the headquarters on force development efforts. This reorganization allows the Headquarters AETC staff to focus on broader force-development responsibilities, ensuring policy and strategy are aligned within the command and across the entire Air Force developmental enterprise.

Outstanding program manager represents AETC
January 29, 2019 — Alan Becker is an unassuming man. If you worked down the hall from him, you might see him as a kind, hardworking man but not much more. He has a friendly voice that matches the half-smile that’s always on his face. When he speaks, he uses everyday language even though he is highly intelligent. Talking to him, he might tell you about gardening with his wife, all about his three grandchildren, or about his church’s “Inquiry Class” he has taught for the past 10 years... MORE

Air Force civilian Alan Becker; Planning, Programs, Bases and Units program manager in Air Education and Training Command, interviews in the AETC public affairs office, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Jan. 17. Becker was the 2019 AETC winner of the Air Force Association Outstanding Civilian Program Manager of the Year award.

AETC Command Surgeon provides thoughts on Air Force Medicine
October 17, 2018 — As Air Force Medicine continues to go through organizational change, the major command surgeons general are hard at work, playing a pivotal role in the Air Force’s ability to stay on the leading edge of Trusted Care healthcare. This month we sat down with Air Education and Training Command’s Surgeon, Col. (Dr.) Gianna R. Zeh, to discuss ongoing improvements, how medical Airmen can succeed, and her personal journey as a leader... MORE

As Air Force Medicine continues to go through organizational change, the MAJCOM Surgeons are hard at work, playing a pivotal role in the Air Force’s ability to stay on the leading edge of Trusted Care healthcare. This month we sat down with Air Education and Training Command’s Surgeon, Col. (Dr.) Gianna R. Zeh, to discuss ongoing improvements, how medical Airmen can succeed, and her personal journey as a leader.

Air Force awards next-generation fighter and bomber trainer
September 28, 2018 — The Air Force awarded The Boeing Company a contract worth up to $9.2 billion for the Air Force's new training aircraft Sept. 27... MORE

The Air Force awarded The Boeing Company a contract worth up to $9.2 billion for the Air Force's new training aircraft Sept. 27. The Air Force currently plans to purchase 351 T-X aircraft, 46 simulators, and associated ground equipment to replace the Air Education and Training Command's 57-year-old fleet of T-38C Talons.

Cloud-based Air Force learning ecosystem to give control and “21st Century speed” to Airmen
September 25, 2018 — Air Education and Training Command officials announced the service’s new cloud-based learning ecosystem is currently in a beta test with four courses, with testing expected to complete in the summer of 2019 and full operational capability expected in early 2020... MORE

Air Education and Training Command officials announced the service’s new cloud-based learning ecosystem is currently in a beta test with four courses, with testing expected to complete in the summer of 2019 and full operational capability expected in early 2020.

Pilot Training Next cadre discuss lessons learned, way forward
September 20, 2018 — Air Education and Training Command officials announced the second iteration of Pilot Training Next would begin in January 2019 during a panel at the 2018 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference... MORE

U.S. Air Force Second Lt. Charles Keller and Airman First Class Tyler Haselden, Pilot Training Next students, train on a virtual reality flight simulator at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Austin, Texas, June 21. Air Education and Training Command officials announced the second iteration of Pilot Training Next would begin in January 2019 during a panel at the 2018 Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland.