COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Twenty-one Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5 student pilots of Class 24-10, graduated on June 14, 2024, at the Kaye Auditorium on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. 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, or Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals. 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 and T-38 Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals into a unified syllabus for graduates continuing to fighter or bomber platforms.
The Class 24-10 graduation speaker was Col. Derek Oakley, 28th Bomb Wing commander, Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. Col. Oakley received his commission from the United States Air Force Officer Training School in May 2000. He graduated from pilot training at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, and was operationally assigned to the B-1B. He has served in a variety of flying squadrons as an instructor and evaluator pilot in the B-1B, T-6, and T-38. He commanded a T-6 squadron at Columbus AFB and served on the Joint Staff as the Director of the Joint Targeting School, Dam Neck Naval Air Station, Virginia.
He served as the director of the B-21 Integration and System Management Office where he liaised between Air Force Global Strike Command and the Department of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, supporting development of the B21 Raider, the Air Force’s Top 3 priority acquisition program. Prior to his current assignment, Col. Oakley commanded the 28th Operations Group at Ellsworth, the largest operational B-1B group in the U.S. Air Force with one operations support squadron, two bomb squadrons and management of the Powder River Training Complex.
Col. Oakley is a command pilot with over 3,400 flight hours in the B-1B, T-38, T-6, and T-37, including 991 combat hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
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 24-10 Graduates
2nd Lt. Rayan M. Albalawi (International Training Award)
2nd Lt. Benjamin R. Althoff
2nd Lt. Mason L. Berger
2nd Lt. Christopher Castillo
2nd Lt. Joseph L. J. Corbett
2nd Lt. Kevin M. Cully
2nd Lt. Mathis T. Dean
2nd Lt. Windle D. Eddy
2nd Lt. Tyler A. Gasiorowski (Distinguished Graduate Award, Military Training Award)
2nd Lt. Michael P. Grass
2nd Lt. Sean D. Jahnigue
2nd Lt. Shannon H. O’Brien
Capt. Pedro Pena (Academic Excellence Award)
2nd Lt. Matthew J. Redbord (AETC Commanders Trophy, Distinguished Graduate, Flying Training Award)
2nd Lt. Lucas E. Rhodes
2nd Lt. Dylan M. Shope
2nd Lt. Sean A. Smith
2nd Lt. Joseph R. M. Spears
2nd Lt. Ryotaro Tamura (International Training Award)
1st Lt. Navindren Tanapalan (International Training Award)
Capt. Casey C. Williamson