Columbus Air Force Base News

14th Flying Training Wing Change of Command

TSgt Javier Cruz — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 21:55:00 GMT

The official Change of Command ceremony for the 14th Flying Training Wing took place on 8 July 2026, between outgoing commander Col. James J. Blech and incoming commander Col. Joshua D. Jensen from the 58th Special Operations Wing, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

USAF Student Pilots Find Growth at Italy’s IFTS

Capt. Tyler Whiting — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 18:38:00 GMT

On Jan. 16, the U.S. and Italian air forces celebrated a landmark event: the graduation of 10 American student pilots from the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu, Italy. The ceremony marked a major milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s Future of Undergraduate Pilot Training (FUPT) initiative. The graduates were part of a Small Group Tryout designed to test a modernized pilot production model – specifically, whether students could progress directly from a civilian-led Initial Pilot Training program straight into mastering military competencies in an advanced jet trainer.

CAFB Honors Community Wingmen Inductees

Public Affairs Office — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:42:33 GMT

Col. James Blech, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, inducted three local community leaders into the prestigious Columbus Air Force Base Wingman Program.

Hoops and Heroes

A1C Morgan Cooper — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:09:00 GMT

Two Airmen from Columbus Air Force Base were selected to play for the U.S. Air Force basketball team.

T-38 Talon fleet return to flying status

Pentagon News — Fri, 29 May 2026 18:34:00 GMT

Following collaborative engineering and maintenance inspections initiated after a May 12 mishap at Columbus Air Force Base, the fleet is expected to safely resume flying status in the coming days.

Press Release May 12, 2026

14 FTW Public Affairs — Tue, 12 May 2026 22:30:00 GMT

A T-38 Talon II aircraft from Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, was involved in a mishap at approximately 12:00 p.m. today.

Honoring Those Who Protect:

A1C Kaylie Dille — Fri, 08 May 2026 21:35:00 GMT

The 14th Security Forces Squadron at Columbus Air Force Base is gearing up for National Police Week. The 14th SFS and local law enforcement will join forces to host a series of events that honor the fallen, celebrate those who currently serve in the police force and show support for the base community.

AETC Lines of Effort Power the Force Behind the 2026 National Defense Strategy

Pentagon News — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 20:39:00 GMT

Air Education and Training Command has revamped its Lines of Effort, establishing the strategic framework guiding how the command recruits, trains and educates Airmen and Guardians to deliver combat-credible forces capable of deterring aggression and winning in a high-end fight.

Connecting with the Local Community

2nd Lt. Jeremiah Pinon — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 21:30:00 GMT

The 14th Flying Training Wing hosted its Base Community Council meeting April 22 at the Columbus Event Center at Columbus Air Force Base. The BCC is an organization that supports the interests of military and civilian groups through mutual understanding and joint participation in common activities. These meetings provide the installation with the opportunity to update the community about events happening at the 14th Flying Training Wing.

Legacy in the Sky: Lt. Col. Altizer Reflects on the T-1A’s Final Flight

Senior Airman Jessica Blocher — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:15:00 GMT

The 14th Flying Training Wing closed a significant chapter in its combat history this week as the final T-1A Jayhawk departed the flight line, marking the retirement of the airframe after more than 30 years of forging elite aviators at Columbus Air Force Base.

Spouses & Friends to Launch “Welcome Home” Kits for New and Deployed Airmen

Mr. Adam Prince — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 19:19:00 GMT

To help ease the transition of moving, the Columbus Air Force Base Spouses & Friends will be launching a new initiative designed to provide service members and their families essential items they require when reporting to their first duty station or returning from a deployment.

48th FTS 'Alley Cats' close the book on T-1A Jayhawk era

Lt. Col. Eddie R. Altizer — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 20:16:00 GMT

That chapter reached its emotional conclusion Nov. 26, 2025. Under a cool, windy morning sky, the final four T-1A Jayhawks touched down at Columbus Air Force Base for the last time, carrying the final student pilots of the Accelerated Path to Wings (XPW) syllabus.

Cyberbusters

A1C Morgan Cooper — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 20:10:00 GMT

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman David Alday, a 14th CS technician, currently leads a team of 10 Airmen who provide technical support and maintain base-wide security. While his rank is "Senior Airman," he is currently filling a role usually reserved for a more senior supervisor: the noncommissioned officer in charge.

Fueling the Force

Airman 1st Class Kaylie Dille — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:30:00 GMT

Through collaboration with the Department of Defense, Irvine is working with base leadership and local colleges to synchronize dining facility standards with the requirements of today’s military. The visit highlights a shift toward a modern, performance-driven dining experience designed to fuel the force for the high-end fight.

Where Honor Finds a Home

SrA Jessica Blocher — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:24:00 GMT

The 14th Flying Training Wing officially renamed Timeline Road to Holmes Drive during a ceremony held Feb. 9, 2026. The dedication pays tribute to retired Gen. Mike “Mobile” Holmes, former commander of Air Combat Command, and his son, the late Capt. Wade “Stab” Holmes.

A Final Salute

Senior Airman Jessica Blocher — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 17:03:00 GMT

Gene, a legendary figure in the Air Force community and a former prisoner of war, was laid to rest in a ceremony marked by the sharp folding of the American flag presented to his wife, Lynn, and the somber notes of "Taps." High above the gathering, the roar of T-38 Talons from the Columbus Air Force Base family provided a final salute in the missing man formation.

The science behind soaring

Capt. Angela M. Magness — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 23:51:00 GMT

The 14th Flying Training Wing’s mission to train world-class pilots relies on a diverse team of scientific and medical experts known as the Biomedical Sciences Corps. These professionals across 13 career fields all do their part to keep Airmen physically and mentally healthy. While the pilots focus on the sky, BSC officers provide foundational readiness on the ground that makes mission success possible.

Streamlining Pilot Training

A1C Morgan Cooper — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 22:35:00 GMT

Columbus Air Force Base, alongside other U.S. Air Force pilot training bases, has partnered with the United States Aviation Academy to streamline and innovate the pilot training process. The goal is to reduce timelines while equipping student pilots for success in Undergraduate Pilot Training, or UPT.

Designing the future: A former AETC instructor pilot’s vision for the T-7A Red Hawk

Capt. Nadia K. Rossin — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 15:46:00 GMT

As the Air Force prepares to usher in a new era of pilot training, the appearance of its next-generation trainer aircraft reflects both where the service has been and where it is headed.

New Command, Same Mission Columbus Medical Group completes realignment

Senior Airman Jessica Blocher — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 18:30:00 GMT

The Columbus Medical Group (CMG), formerly the 14th Medical Group, officially completed its historic transition and realignment under the 359th Medical Wing Dec. 2, 2025. This move is a significant, deliberate step forward in the Department of the Air Force’s comprehensive effort to stand up the new Air Force Medical Command (AFMEDCOM).