COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Twenty-six Undergraduate Pilot Training student pilots of Class 25-02 and 25-03, graduated on November 15, 2024, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The UPT 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, 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.
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 25-02 Graduates
1st Lt. Rey D. Cervantes Cordova
2nd Lt. Kapena C. Chee
2nd Lt. Thomas J. Corpuz
2nd Lt. Sophia V. David
2nd Lt. Richard Del Cristo Jr. (Military Training Award)
2nd Lt. Andrew M. Ely
1st Lt. Gregory J. Grooms
2nd Lt. Andrew J. Hall
1st Lt. Maggie E. Hinshaw
Capt. Erick X. Huppmann (AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Excellence Award, Flying Training Award)
2nd Lt. Gage A. Jenner
2nd Lt. Ryan T. Kamm (AETC Commander’s Trophy, Distinguished Graduate Award, Academic Excellence Award, Flying Training Award)
2nd Lt. Laurel A. Klawes
1st Lt. Christopher M. Kowalcek
Maj. David J. Kussman
1st Lt. Victoria S. Lambos
1st Lt. Colton J. Layman
1st Lt. Joseph S. Leguire
2nd Lt. Avery A Lollis
2nd Lt. Brian Park
1st Lt. Jada C. Polk
2nd Lt. Cole S. Renfro
2nd Lt. Bronson L. Rodgers (Military Training Award)
2nd Lt. Scottie T. Shoemaker
1st Lt. Justin R. Sweat
1st Lt. Kyle J. Zborezny