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19th AF Commander Visits Columbus

  • Published
  • By Mr. Sonic Johnson
  • Chief, 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Maj. Gen. Greg Feest, the 19th AF commander, arrived at the Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. transient ramp red carpet May 5 to begin his two and one-half day visit to the base. General Feest took command of the 19th AF in July 2008 and is visiting all flying training operations. 

The 19th Air Force is responsible for all flying training in Air Education and Training Command. The 19th AF trains nearly 25,000 U.S. and allied students annually ranging from entry-level undergraduate flying training through advanced combat crew training and ultimately provides fully qualified aircrew personnel to the warfighting commands. The 19th Air Force is composed of more than 38,000 Total Force personnel and 1,720 aircraft assigned to 17 wings and three independent training groups located across the United States. 

When asked about the future of pilot training, General Feest remarked that "now that all the specialized undergraduate flying training wings have the new T-6 trainer, the time is right to take a look at how we do pilot training. I have been tasked by the AETC commander along with the AETC A3 staff to re-look at pilot training." 

"We are chartering a team made up of representatives of all the major commands and staffs to look at how we do pilot training," the general said. 

In discussing the 19th AF role in unmanned aerial systems training, the general believes 19th AF will continue to have a major role in UAS training. AETC currently conducts UAS training at Pueblo, Colo., and at Randolph AFB, Texas, and it should continue to expand as the Combat Air Forces get busier employing UAS's. The general said they will look to 19th AF to do what it does, train aircrews for the CAF. 

As the T-38C turns 50 years old, the command is exploring replacement options, the general said. 

"There is currently an Analysis of Alternatives to determine requirements of what type of aircraft is needed for pilot training," remarked General Feest. "The AETC commander would like to see a TX [training aircraft] replacement in the 2018 timeframe." 

"I am totally impressed with the mission the BLAZE team does every day and I would like to thank them for what they do," added General Feest. "The motto of the 19th AF is To Provide Future Airpower Now and that is what the Columbus AFB BLAZE Team does!"