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The Legacy Lives On

A group of pilots and former pilots places a nickel at the graveside of retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith Jr. during an interment ceremony at Marks Cemetery in Marks, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2026. The gesture is a fighter pilot tradition honoring a fallen comrade's final flight. Smith was interred with full military honors following a celebration of life service held earlier that day. (U.S. Air Force photo by [U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Jessica Blocher)

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The Legacy Lives On

From left, U.S. Air Force Col. James Blech, 14th Flying Training Wing commander; Lt. Col. Simon Kassemi, 14th Operations Support Squadron commander; and Chief Master Sgt. LeBaron King, 14th FTW command chief, stand behind the family during the burial of retired Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith Jr. in Marks, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2026. Leadership from Columbus AFB attended the ceremony to pay respects to Smith, a former prisoner of war and local civic leader. (U.S. Air Force photo by SrA Jessica Blocher)

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The Legacy Lives On

Four U.S. Air Force T-38 Talons assigned to the 14th Flying Training Wing perform a missing man formation flyover during a celebration of life for retired Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith Jr. at Marks cemetery in Marks, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2026. Smith, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and former prisoner of war, passed away Jan. 16, 2026.

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The Legacy Lives On

A family member delivers a eulogy during the celebration of life for retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith Jr. at First Presbyterian Church in West Point, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2026. Smith served 19 years in the Air Force and was a cornerstone of the Columbus Air Force Base and West Point communities.

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The Legacy Lives On

Guest speaker retired Col. Nick P. Ardillo Jr. addresses the congregation during a memorial service for retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard "Gene" Smith Jr. at First Presbyterian Church in West Point, Mississippi, Jan. 23, 2026. The service honored Smith's legacy of military service and his continued involvement with the 14th Flying Training Wing at Columbus Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blocher)

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Introduction to Pilot Training

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Ashton Boxley tests the fuel from a Cessna at Falcon Field, Atlanta, Ga, on Jan. 21, 2026. Pilots ensure that the correct fuel type is used and that there are no impurities in the fuel before take-off. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaylie Dille)

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Introduction to Pilot Training

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Ashton Boxley looks into the cockpit of a Cessna at Falcon Field, Atlanta, Ga, on Jan. 21, 2026. Boxley was preparing for a solo cross-country flight which is a milestone moment in introductory pilot training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaylie Dille)

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14FTW Deputy Commander

Official photo Col. Jesper R. Stubbendorff, Deputy Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing

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AETC Commander Visit

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, Air Education and Training Command commander, recognizes Capt. Austin Dreyer, 14th Student Squadron class commander, with a commanders challenge coin during an immersion visit on 28 August 2025, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Robinson visited multiple support squadrons throughout the visit and met with junior officers and enlisted members who contribute to the 14th Flying Training Wing mission to train world-class pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Morgan Cooper)

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AETC Commander Visit

Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, Air Education and Training Command commander, and Chief Master Sergeant Chad Bickley AETC Command Chief, met with local civic leaders from the City of Columbus and surrounding communities to show their appreciation for continued support of the 14th Flying Training Wing mission to train world-class pilots. Maintaining productive community relations programs between the communities surrounding Columbus Air Force Base amplifies outreach efforts such as recruiting, aviation education, civilian career opportunities, and positive economic impacts. (U.S. Air Force photo by A1C Morgan Cooper)

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Pilot Sharpshooter

U.S. Air Force Capt. Seth Carozza, 14th Student Squadron Flight Commander and T-6A Texan II instructor pilot, poses for a photo outside the 14th Operations Group building on Aug. 15, 2025, at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Carozza logged over 210 sorties in the T-6A and helped over 200 student pilots earn their wings. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Morgan Cooper)

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Pilot Sharpshooter

U.S. Air Force Capt. Seth Carozza, 14th Student Squadron Flight Commander and T-6A Texan II instructor Pilot, holds an M-1 Garand rifle as a member of the U.S. Air Force Rifle Team, while attending a marksmanship competition. (Courtesy photo provided by U.S. Air Force Capt. Seth Carozza)

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CRAFT wholistic training

Airmen participate in a Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training CRAFT demonstration led by CRAFT instructors during a capabilities briefing, May 8, 2025 on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. CRAFT is a wholistic approach to pilot training that focuses on physical and cognitive response conditioning and mental resilience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz)

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CRAFT wholistic training

A Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training CRAFT instructor demonstrates cognitive agility training on a touch screen-based system that challenges attention, awareness, and reaction time through simulated task-saturation scenarios, May 8, 2025 on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. CRAFT incorporates customized fitness regimens, cognitive agility training, nutrition science, and stress management techniques. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz)

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CRAFT wholistic training

Columbus Air Force Base Airmen utilize the Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training CRAFT gym on the 14th Operations Group campus, May 8, 2025. CRAFT leverages the proven frameworks of high-performance sports programs to optimize cognitive and physical readiness for student pilots and pilot instructors. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Javier Cruz)

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Future Undergraduate Pilot Training

A 43rd Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot examines a T-6A Texan II before flight at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., May 13, 2025. The flight was part of the curriculum for the first graduating Future Undergraduate Pilot Training (FUPT) class, a reimagined training model designed to produce highly qualified pilots on an accelerated timeline. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Curzi)

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Future Undergraduate Pilot Training

An M1 Support Services T-6A Texan II mechanic observes as an instructor pilot and student in Future Undergraduate Pilot Training (FUPT) perform final checks before flight at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., May 13, 2025. The first FUPT class has successfully graduated, underscoring the Air Force's commitment to competency-based learning, data-driven program refinement and newly-minted aviators meeting the highest standards of quality and readiness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Joseph Curzi)

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Future Undergraduate Pilot Training

The first graduating class from the Future Undergraduate Pilot Training model pose for a group photo before the start of the official graduation ceremony on May 16, 2025, at the Columbus Event Center on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The pilot graduates completed over 100 flight hours to earn their private pilot certificate, instrument rating, and multi-engine rating as part of a new Initial Pilot Training to gain basic piloting competencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sharon Ybarra)

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Future Undergraduate Pilot Training

Technical Sergeant Tristen Brown, 14th Operation Support Squadron Aerospace Physiology Instructor, teaches a student pilot from the Future Undergraduate Pilot Training program in class 26-01AB on the lateral drift trainer at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 14, 2025. The first graduating class from the Future Undergraduate Pilot Training model represents a true proof of concept for the program designed to help the U.S. Air Force reach its goal of generating 1500 pilots annually. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Sharon Ybarra)

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Future Undergraduate Pilot Training

Airman 1st Class Bryson Esmond, 14th Operation Support Squadron Aerospace Physiology Technician, instructs Future Undergraduate Pilot Training (FUPT) student pilots in the Altitude Chamber at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 13, 2025. The first FUPT graduates demonstrated a successful proof of concept test, highlighting the program’s potential to increase pilot production while maintaining high standards. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Sharon Ybarra)

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