THE AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMAND HELPS AIRMEN SOAR

Several things set the U.S. military apart, but our attention and dedication to training are unmatched. It’s not enough to simply train or teach, you have to do so the right way and when entering the American Armed Forces, you’ll learn a lot, but you’ll also become a specialized cog in a machine ready for any task. Part of making that happen is the Air Education and Training Command (AETC). It’s one of the many similar programs that aims to recruit and train Airmen into maintaining the standard of sky superiority the birthplace of flight takes pride in dominating on any battlefield. Learn more about the AETC and how it continues to help strengthen and defend the United States of America.

Who Is the Air Education and Training Command Commander?

The Air Education and Training Command Commander is Lt. Gen. Brian S. Robinson​, an esteemed Airmen that have been serving in the USAF since 1987. Lt. Gen. Robinson’s nomination came in 2020 as he replaced Lt. Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost who also served as the head of the Air Education and Training Command. In addition to Lt. Gen. Robinson’s leadership, the AETC also depends on the accomplished leaders found in Maj. Gen. James R. Sears serving as its Deputy Commander, and CMSgt. Erik Thompson. These expert Airmen have proven themselves as leading by example and having the necessary skills to train and recruit the next generation. Core purposes found at the AETC headquartered out of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

The Purpose of the AETC

The Air Education and Training Command was formed in January 1942 and is the oldest major command in the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The mission of the AETC continues to be acting as the first command each Airman is exposed to and working to train and maintain excellence within the branch. When it started, the Air Education and Training Command was initially called the Army Air Corps Flying Training Command. But instead of calling Alamo City its home, it was based out of Washington, D.C. This didn’t last long, however, because less than a year later, Fort Worth, Texas was its new home. It has helped serve our country in a variety of manners including World War II. Doing so meant moving around a bit more. Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Scott AFB, Illinois, and Randolph AFB are all military installations it would call home throughout the years. But yet again, things changed July 1993 would see the Air Training Command and Air University merge and create the AETC. Part of this meant the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure plan which renamed Randolph AFB into what it is today. Since its inception, over 25 million students have benefited and graduated from the Air Education and Training Command’s programs.

The Air Education and Training Command Is Far and Wide

The reach of the AETC can be found throughout the United States. This allows the Air Force Recruiting Service, various air forces, and the Air University to help operate 12 major installations and support various units here and abroad. The AETC installations are as follows:

• Altus AFB, Oklahoma
• Columbus AFB, Mississippi
• Goodfellow AFB, Texas
• Holloman AFB, New Mexico
• JBSA Fort Sam Houston, Texas
• JBSA-Randolph, Texas
• Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
• Keesler AFB, Mississippi
• Laughlin AFB, Texas
• Luke AFB, Arizona
• Maxwell AFB, Alabama
• Sheppard AFB, Texas
• Vance AFB, Oklahoma

News breaking out that the AETC's newest chiefs locked on readiness, competition at AU sort of embodies the entire purpose of the command. Above and below there is no room for error. The Air Education and Training Command helps Airmen learn the necessary skills to become better Airmen, people, and dominate the battlefield.