Alabama aviators visit CAFB Published Aug. 22, 2007 By Airman 1st Class Danielle Powell 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. -- Eleven Aliceville, Ala., representatives visited CAFB Friday to better familiarize themselves with the mission of the base. Two weeks ago a T-6 Texan II landed in Aliceville, Ala., to show local residents the newest Columbus AFB trainer. Nearly 250 people, which is about 10 percent of the population there, was in attendance to see the CAFB jet land. Pilots in the T-6 now use the Aliceville Airport to do emergency landing patterns or ELPs. An ELP simulates an engine failure and the maneuvering required for landing in the single-engine T-6. While there is only a small airport in Aliceville, the airport authority is looking to expand the airport. The larger of the airport's two runways is only 4,970 feet long. By touring the Columbus AFB, the group was able to take in ideas of things they would like to add to their facility. During the tour, the representatives were able to attend a formal pilot training graduation ceremony, fly aircraft simulators and tour the Radar and Approach Control and tower facilities. During the Wing Mission Brief by Capt. Carolyn Jensen, 14th Medical Operations Squadron, the Aliceville representatives were given a detailed overview of the mission at Columbus AFB. After experiencing the graduation for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 07-13, the group enjoyed lunch at the Columbus Club with Maj. Brent Green, 43rd Flying Training Squadron and Wing Airspace Officer, and Capt. Richard McElhaney, 14th Operations Support Squadron. Following lunch, they were escorted to the RAPCON building, where they were given a tour by 14th OSS air traffic controllers. They were able to see the radar training simulators, as well as the radar experts at work. They were then escorted to the tower, where they were able to see the entire airfield and those controlling it. They were able to see the updated equipment and were given a brief description of all the equipment in the tower. Following the days tour, they all asked in unison if "they could return next week!"
