COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Twenty-eight Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5 student pilots of Class 24-06, graduated on 15 March 2024, at the Kaye Auditorium on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The UPT 2.5 graduation ceremony officially marks the completion of initial flight training in the T-6 Texan II as students earn their wings and begin the next phase of advanced pilot training for the Air Force’s newest pilots.
Pilots advance to graduate training in one of two new programs: Air Mobility Fundamentals (AMF), or Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals F/BF. These new programs, like UPT 2.5, capitalize on and incorporate modern training tools and methods that provide a unique advantage through innovation.
AMF currently leverages the “Mid-Tier Device,” a simulator that replicates the T-1A Jayhawk, to prepare graduates for mobility or tanker platforms. The Air Force’s first-ever F/BF class began at CAFB in June 2023. The new program both combines and streamlines legacy T-38 Graduate Pilot Training GPT and T-38 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals IFF into a unified syllabus for graduates continuing on to fighter or bomber platforms.
The Class 24-06 graduation speaker was Col. Joseph Matt Dietz, United States Air Force Academy, Department Head with specialties in Military History, Policy, and Strategy. As an Air Force F-15E instructor pilot, he logged more than 2,500 flight hours during his career, deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Inherent Resolve. Additionally, he served as a NATO planner for Operation Unified Protector and was the Director of Operations for US Air Forces Central Command.
Students are also recognized with additional accolades through academic and professional military achievement such as: Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Military Training Award and Flying Training Award.
CLASS 24-06 Graduates
2nd Lt. Briana M. Barnett
2nd Lt. Nolan G. Benigni
2nd Lt. Kathryn M. Christmas
2nd Lt. Caleb A. Davis
2nd Lt. William W. Dillinger
2nd Lt. William H. Edinger
2nd Lt. Elijah W. Edwards
2nd Lt. Bryce M. Eighmey
2nd Lt. Lance H. Fry (Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate, Flying Training Award)
2nd Lt. Joseph M. Harms
1st Lt. Jacob A. Hughes
2nd Lt. Ryan G. Ioanidis
2nd Lt. Donald B. Jenkins
2nd Lt. Kyle L. Kramer (Distinguished Graduate, Military Training Award)
2nd Lt. Regan F. Lemaire
2nd Lt. Lucas O. Tjugum
1st Lt. Matthew J. Steiner (Distinguished Graduate, Academic Award)
2nd Lt. Jordan T. Stoiber
1st Lt. Kade J. Sundvall
2nd Lt. Daniel N. Mauchly
2nd Lt. Brock M. Miles
2nd Lt. Aaron Miranda
1st Lt. Noah M. Qiu
2nd Lt. Taylor D. Rutstein
2nd Lt. Reid D. Scarborough
2nd Lt. Tyler R. Smith
2nd Lt. Eugene B. Smith
2nd Lt. Sarah Y. Snyder