48th FTS recognized as AETC’s Top Operations Squadron

Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills is Commander, 19th Air Force commander, speaks with members of the 48th Flying Training Squadron on April 20, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Wills is responsible for and oversees more than 45% of the Air Force’s annual flying hour program that trains more than 32,000 U.S. and allied aircrew annually flying 29 different types of aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Davis Donaldson)

48th FTS recognized as AETC’s Top Operations Squadron

Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills, 19th Air Force commander, and Lt. Col. Nelson Prouty, 48th Flying Training Squadron commander, unveil a poster to signify the 48th FTS as the Air Education and Training Command’s top operations squadron for 2021 on April 20, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The mission of the 48th FTS is to develop professional military officers while empowering instructors to train pilots for the world’s greatest Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Davis Donaldson)

48th FTS recognized as AETC’s Top Operations Squadron

Published April 22, 2022
By Senior Airman Davis Donaldson
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 48th Flying Training Squadron, otherwise known as the Alley Cats, was recently recognized by the Air Education and Training Command as the Top Operations Squadron across the command.

On April 20, 2022, Maj. Gen. Craig D. Wills, 19th Air Force commander, visited the 48th FTS to celebrate and speak with the members of the squadron.

“Congratulations to the Alley Cats,” Wills said. “Being the top operations squadron of AETC is no small feat and you went out there and got it done day after day. Every day you’re making aviators we can be proud of.”

The 48th FTS is responsible for training pilots in the T-1A Jayhawk. After their training at Columbus AFB, students will transition on to their next respective bases to train on the tanker aircraft assigned to them.

In the fiscal year 2021, the 48th FTS flew over 7,500 sorties which equaled over 17,400 flight hours.

Along with Wills, Lt. Col. Nelson Prouty, 48th FTS commander, also spoke of his appreciation towards the members of his squadron.

“It is always an honor to be recognized for work well done, and the men and women of the 48th have certainly proven consistent excellence in accomplishing our mission,” Prouty said. “The members of the 48th are really good at knowing their role, and what I am most proud of is that they are kind, they work very hard, and focus on getting better every day.”