COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Maj. Gen. James Hecker, 19th Air Force Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Robert Boyer, 19th AF Command Chief, visited Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Jan. 20-21 to speak with Airmen and community leaders, and see the 14th Flying Training Wing mission firsthand.
During an all call, Hecker talked about the importance of Four Fs: Flying, Family, Fitness and Faith. However, most of his visit focused on the 14th FTW units and flying.
Columbus Air Force Base is one of three pilot training bases in the United States. Training over 200 pilots every year, Columbus AFB is one of the busiest air fields in Air Education and Training Command. While 200 pilots may seem like a lot, training demand for pilots is expected to rise over the next few years.
“The demand for pilots is dependent on what our country demands of us,” Hecker said. “The numbers are going to continue to grow. Over the next three years AETC will increase the number of pilots by about 200, across all undergraduate pilot training wings. Increased training at Columbus will help deliver airpower that meets the nation’s needs for decades to come.”
With this task Columbus is going to be busy meeting the mission.
“Standards must remain the standards,” Hecker said. “We have to keep producing Airmen who know how to get the job done and get home safely.”
Hecker also discussed the future of UPT and the aircraft to get there.
The T-X will replace the T-38C Talon, which is part of Phase 3 of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. The T-X program, otherwise known as the Advanced Pilot Training program, is a replacement for the T-38, capable of meeting the Air Force’s pilot training mission at bases like Columbus AFB for fifth generation aircraft.
“We are still in the early acquisition phase of the T-X,” Hecker said. “The T-X is going to replace an aircraft that is 50 years old, but continues to get the job done. With the advanced capabilities of the T-X, not only will we be able to produce more pilots with more sorties, but more capable pilots.”
Hecker said the T-X will make the transition to fifth generation aircraft easier.
“We are looking for something that is a replica of the F-22 or F-35 avionics to train pilots to that capability,” Hecker said. “The T-38 doesn’t have the ability to get to or sustain high Gs. The T-X will enable pilots to learn this skill in a two-seat aircraft, which is an added safety factor.”
In addition to the T-X, another change to flying operations and the future of airpower is remotely piloted aircraft.
Currently, students are selected in SUPT and from commissioning sources, such as Officer Training School, to attend RPA training. Recently, Air Force leaders announced the opportunity for selected enlisted members to fly as part of the RPA program.
“We already have enlisted operators flying satellites. The flight controls of the Global Hawk are very similar,” Hecker said. “In a complex, global environment, RPA pilots will always be in demand.”
Hecker recognized two enlisted Airmen from the 14th Operations Group who will be part of the RPA program after OTS and help meet the demand.
During the tour, Hecker visited various wing units, from the 14th Operations Group to the newly remodeled Columbus Club and Fitness Center.
“By upgrading facilities such as the fitness center and the medical facility, Columbus Air Force Base leaders have done a great job improving the lives and morale of the Airmen stationed here,” Hecker said.
“We really appreciate you showcasing your wing to us,” Hecker said. “We’re impressed with the motivated Airmen getting the mission done.”