Columbus Air Force Base

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Where Honor Finds a Home

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack Catton delivers remarks during a road renaming ceremony at Columbus Air Force Base, Feb. 9, 2026. The ceremony honored the legacy of retired Gen. Mike “Mobile” Holmes and his late son, Capt. Wade “Stab” Holmes, by renaming Timeline Road to Holmes Drive. Catton, a former commander of the 14th Flying Training Wing, spoke on the Holmes family's multi-generational contributions to the Air Force and the local community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaylie Dille)

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Where Honor Finds a Home

From left, Maj. Gen. Jack Catton, retired, Gen. James Holmes, retired, Col. James J. Blech, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, Col. Jesper Stubbendorff, 14th Flying Training Wing deputy commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Lebaron King, 14th Flying Training Wing command chief, stand at a stone monument honoring the Holmes family's military legacy of service during a street renaming ceremony, Feb. 9, 2026, at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. Gen. Holmes was the 14th Operations Group commander from 2002 to 2004, and his son, Capt. Wade Holmes, earned his wings at Columbus AFB as a graduate of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 17-14 before he passed away from brain cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Doublin)

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Where Honor Finds a Home

Airmen assigned to the 49th FTS set fire to a piano during a piano burn ceremony marking the official renaming of Holmes Road at Columbus Air Force Base, Feb. 9, 2026. The ceremony, a long-standing tradition in the military aviation community used to honor heritage and commemorate significant transitions, served as a tribute to the history of Holmes Road and the personnel who served along it. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kaylie Dille)

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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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Columbus Medical Group

The Columbus Medical Group building stands at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Jan. 30, 2026. The Columbus Medical Group supports the 14th Flying Training Wing's mission by providing dental and outpatient medical care to the base population and ensuring the medical readiness of airmen. (U.S. Air Force Courtesy photo)

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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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251203-F-CC297-6587

A U.S. Air Force T-38 from the 560th Flying Training Squadron flies alongside a T-7A Red Hawk during the aircraft’s historic arrival to Air Education and Training Command at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, Dec. 3, 2025. The T-7A Red Hawk is the U.S. Air Force’s newest training aircraft, designed to train the next generation of pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Sean Carnes)

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250307-F-CX978-1113

A T-7A Red Hawk from the 416th Flight Test Squadron, F-35A from the Alabama Air National Guard and P-51D Mustang from the Palm Springs Air and Space Museum fly in formation over Edwards Air Force Base after the 2025 Red Tail Rendezvous event. To honor the rich history of the Tuskegee Airmen, reinforce warfighter standards and resiliency, and amplify Airman morale, the 412th Test Wing hosted a special afternoon during the State of California's formal Tuskegee Airmen remembrance day on March 7. In a beneficial series of requirements, the F-35A and P-51D aircraft were able to take advantage of a T-7A flying a test mission during departure to create this unique formation, while the event provided pilots with the Alabama Air National Guard key cross-country training hours. A flight test aerial photographer was also scheduled for a proficiency mission the same afternoon, allowing this rare moment to be captured visually. The T-7A Red Hawk sports red tails as homage to the Tuskegee Airmen. (Air Force photo by Christian Turner)

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New Command, Same Mission Columbus Medical Group completes realignment

Col. James J. Blech, 14th Flying Training Wing commander, and Col. Francisco Catala, 14th Medical Group commander, sign support agreements for the 14th MDG’s transition to the Air Force Medical Command at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., Dec. 3, 2025. The AFMED is a newly established organization designed to provide focused medical support and advocacy for Air Force and Space Force priorities, streamlining healthcare delivery across the Department of the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Melissa Doublin)

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251203-A-IW468-4025

Service members from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass, and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Erb in Section 8 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2025. Erb followed his lifelong passion for flying by serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 28 years. During this time, he made major contributions as a tactical fighter pilot to the A-7, A-10 and F-15 programs. He also served in Vietnam where he flew C-130s. Erb’s military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal w/ OLC. He was laid to rest alongside his wife, Barbara. His son, Jeff Erb, received the U.S. flag from his father’s service. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

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251203-A-IW468-4606

Service members from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass, and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Erb in Section 8 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2025. Erb followed his lifelong passion for flying by serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 28 years. During this time, he made major contributions as a tactical fighter pilot to the A-7, A-10 and F-15 programs. He also served in Vietnam where he flew C-130s. Erb’s military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal w/ OLC. He was laid to rest alongside his wife, Barbara. His son, Jeff Erb, received the U.S. flag from his father’s service. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

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251203-A-IW468-7125

Service members from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass, and the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Richard Erb in Section 8 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Dec. 3, 2025. Erb followed his lifelong passion for flying by serving in the U.S. Air Force for over 28 years. During this time, he made major contributions as a tactical fighter pilot to the A-7, A-10 and F-15 programs. He also served in Vietnam where he flew C-130s. Erb’s military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal w/ OLC. He was laid to rest alongside his wife, Barbara. His son, Jeff Erb, received the U.S. flag from his father’s service. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)

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USEAF at CAFB

The Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier greets Ms. Kay Heath, housing element chief 14th Civil Engineering Squadron Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, at base housing on Nov. 21, 2025. Hon. Lohmeier toured enlisted dorms, officer dorms and base housing during his visit to Columbus to assess living conditions and offer advice in areas of improvement. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blocher)

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USEAF visits CAFB

The Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lowmeier greets members of 14th Flying Training Squadron Civil Engineering Squadron on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, on Nov. 21, 2025. Hon. Lohmeier visited Columbus AFB with the goal of emphasizing personal connections and readiness with airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blocher)

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USEAF visits CAFB

U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler “Hype” Lannom, instructor pilot 49th Flying Training Squadron (left), the Under Secretary of the Air Force Matthew Lohmeier (middle), and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John “Rowdy” Little, 49th FTS commander (right), stand together for a group photo at the bowling center on Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, Nov. 21, 2025. Hon. Lohmeier met with student and instructor pilots during his visit, emphasizing good work ethics and a positive mindset. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessica Blocher)

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