12th Flying Training Wing - Overview

Overview

The mission of the 12th FTW is to provide instructor pilot training in the Raytheon-Beech T-6A Texan II, Cessna T-37 Tweet (phased out between 2007–2009), the Northrop T-38 Talon and the Beech T-1A Jayhawk jet trainers. Previously, the wing conducted introduction to fighter fundamentals in the Northrop AT-38 Talon, but the AT-38's have been transferred out and T-38's now accomplish that mission.

Until late 2010, the wing also conducted joint undergraduate navigator training and electronic warfare officer (EWO) training in the T-1A Jayhawk and Boeing T-43A medium-range turbofan jet at Randolph AFB. With the retirement of the T-43 in September 2010, this training merged with extant weapons systems officer (WSO) training conducted jointly with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps at NAS Pensacola, Florida. The navigator, EWO and WSO training tracks were then merged and all three specialties (which wear the same type of uniform insignia wings upon completion of flight training) became known as Combat Systems Officer (CSO). This updated CSO training is conducted by the 479th Flying Training Group as a GSU at NAS Pensacola, utilizing T-6 Texan II and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft.

The wing trains Air Force pilots to be flight instructors at Air Education and Training Command’s four USAF undergraduate pilot training bases and conducts Department of Defense undergraduate combat systems officer training at a single-sited base under USN control. The wing also trains other military personnel from more than 20 allied and partner nations.