Class 22-08 achieves aeronautical rating

U.S. Air Force Col. Seth Graham, 14th Flying Training Wing, commander, return’s a salute to a Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training graduate, Apr. 15, 2022, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. All student pilots train in the T-6A Texan II before moving on to training in either the T-38 Talon or T-1A Jayhawk. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

Class 22-08 achieves aeronautical rating

Graduates from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training class 22-08, break their first pair of wings, during their graduation ceremony, Mar. 25, 2022 on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. During a long-standing aviation tradition, pilots will keep one half of the broken wings and give the second half to a loved one. The two halves are never to be brought back together while the pilot is still alive. (U.S Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

Class 22-08 achieves aeronautical rating

U.S. Air Force Col. Samuel Martin, retired, delivers the graduation speech, Apr. 15, 2022, at the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training graduation, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. After flying F105’s in Southeast Asia, Martin served as an Instructor Pilot at McConnelll AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

Class 22-08 achieves aeronautical rating

Published April 19, 2022
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. – Eighteen officers from Class 22-08 graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Apr. 15, 2022, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Col. Samuel Martin, retired, delivered the graduation speech.

During his time in service, Martin received numerous awards and decorations including the Silver Star with three oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross with five oak leaf clusters and the Air Medal with 18 oak leaf clusters.

“My expectations are high for these pilots,” said Martin. “They have just received the best training you can get in the world. I have great expectations that they will perform just as their predecessors had in the history of pilots in our country.”

Over the span of the 52-week training program, each student completed nearly 200 flying hours in the T-6A Texan II and T-1A Jayhawk or T-38C Talon.

“I feel personally very proud and humble as well as a sense of satisfaction and pride like the families and friends here,” said Martin. “It energizes me again, as a troubled world, to know that we are on top of agendas. It is really great to be among the best of the best.”

Class 22-08 recognized two distinguished graduates, 1st Lt. Ronald Kolodziejczyk and 2nd Lt. Brian Duhaime, for their outstanding performance in academics, officer qualities and flying abilities.

“You are amazing individuals to have accomplished what you just did,” said Martin. “I wish you all the luck in the world. I wish you well, happiness, and a long career in the Air Force.”

Since they have graduated SUPT, the new aviators will move onward in training in their respective aircrafts.