AFSOC commander inspires UPT Class 22-09

U.S. Air Force Col. Seth Graham, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, shakes hands with 1st Lt. Wayne Morgan, Jamaican Defence Force pilot, at the graduation ceremony of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 22-09 on April 6, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The 14th Flying Training Wing trains pilots from various allied countries across the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Davis Donaldson)

AFSOC commander inspires UPT Class 22-09

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, delivers a speech at the graduation ceremony of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 22-09 on April 6, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Slife was commissioned through the ROTC program at Auburn University and has spent the majority of his career in special operations aviation assignments, deploying extensively. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Davis Donaldson)

AFSOC commander inspires UPT Class 22-09

Graduates from Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 22-09 sit at their graduation ceremony on April 6, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The graduates completed a 52-week pilot training program including academics, physiological training, and flight training in the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk, and T-38C Talon. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Davis Donaldson)

AFSOC commander inspires UPT Class 22-09

Published May 10, 2022
By Senior Airman Davis Donaldson
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 22-09, consisting of 23 officers, graduated from UPT, on April 6, 2022, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, was the distinguished speaker for the graduation ceremony.

Slife, a command pilot in the MH-53, MQ-1 and others, mentioned how honored he was to attend the new aviator’s graduation ceremony.

“Good morning to family, friends, mentors, instructors, and most importantly, the graduates,” Slife said. “It’s an honor to be here today, witnessing the start of many bright futures for our Air Force.”

Throughout his speech, Slife gave a few tips for the graduates as they progress through their careers.

One piece of advice he gave was to maintain reflection and introspection.

“Reflection and introspection are survival skills in the aviation business,” he said. “The things you’ve learned up to this point in your careers, both as pilots and officers are important, even if they don’t seem to be just yet.”

The new aviators completed a 52-week pilot training program including academics, physiological training, and flight training in the T-6A Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk, and T-38C Talon. After graduation from UPT, the pilots will move onto their assigned aircraft and bases across the globe.

To end his speech, Slife gave one last motivating remark and thanked the families and friends for attending.

“You, each of the graduates, are the United States’ competitive advantage,” he said. “Your leadership will underpin the security and prosperity of the United States for years to come. Congratulations to each of you and thank you for allowing me to join you this morning.”