COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Thirty Undergraduate Pilot Training and Accelerated Path to Wings student pilots of Class 24-14 and 24-15, graduated on September 13, 2024, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.
The UPT and XPW graduation ceremony officially marks the completion of initial flight training in the T-6 Texan II and T-1 Jayhawk as students earn their wings and begin the next phase of advanced pilot training for the Air Force’s newest pilots.
UPT Pilots advance to graduate training in one of two new programs: Air Mobility Fundamentals, or Fighter/Bomber Fundamentals. These new programs, like UPT, 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.
XPW Pilots train in the T-1 Jayhawk. The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used for students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. It is also used to support navigator training for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and international services.
The graduation speaker was Col. Stuart M. Rubio Director of Operations, Plans, and Requirements for 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. He commissioned in May 1998 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy. He is a command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the T-1A, C-130E/H3/J and WC-130J supporting tactical airlift, airdrop, aeromedical evacuation and weather reconnaissance missions. Throughout his career, he has held several positions to include C-130J Formal Training Unit instructor/ evaluator pilot, executive officer at the squadron, group, and wing levels, flying squadron director of operations, wing chief of safety, and squadron, group, and wing commander.
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 24-14 UPT and CLASS 24-15 XPW Graduates
Maj. Phillip Dougherty- Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Flying Training Award
Maj. Joshua Jones
Capt. Ryan Delahunt- Order of Daedalians AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Award, Flying Training Award
Capt. Konrad Wehrmeister
Capt. Ryan Delahunt
1st Lt. Nathan Evers
1st Lt. Haley Jackson
1st Lt. Diego Aleman- International Training Award
1st Lt. Joseph Catlett III- Military Training Award
1st Lt. Matthew White
1st Lt. Mark Hughes
1st Lt. Timothy Thornton
1st Lt. Matthew Walters
1st Lt. Tyler Tentschert
2d Lt. Carola Anselmi
2d Lt. Ulysses Campos
2d Lt. Ron Ron Catap- Military Training Award, International Training Award
2d Lt. David Crytser
2d Lt. Carah Yent
2d Lt. Christopher DeMartin
2d Lt. Nicholas Howcumfu
2d Lt. Joshua Tuttle
2d Lt. Joseph Spence
2d Lt. Brock Thompson
2d Lt. Jam Jang- International Training Award
2d Lt. Michael Lynch
2d Lt. Mateis Maehler
2d Lt. John Merkle
2d Lt. Tucker Neal
2d Lt. Carson Smith
2d Lt. Tyler Sancho