19th Air Force

The 19th Air Force is a flying training unit of the U.S. Air Force. It is part of Air Education and Training Command, and it runs formal aircrew flying training at bases across the United States.

Its mission is to produce the next generation of aviators for America and its allies. Its vision is to set the benchmark in aviation training through dynamic and innovative training.

The unit trains more than 30,000 U.S. and allied students each year. The training covers many specialties. These include aircrews, remotely piloted aircraft crews, air battle managers and weapons directors. They also include Air Force Academy airmanship programs and survival, evasion, resistance and escape training.

The 19th Air Force carries out operational-level command and control of all formal aircrew flying training missions in its command. It aims to give airmen a fifth generation, cross-domain mindset. Graduates then go on to the Combat Air Forces, Mobility Air Forces and Special Operations Air Forces.

The unit oversees the 12th Flying Training Wing and the 58th Special Operations Wing. It also works with bases that host pilot training, including Altus, Columbus, Laughlin and Vance Air Force Bases. The 12th Flying Training Wing includes the 306th and 479th Flying Training Groups and the 12th Maintenance Group.

Pilot supply is a key focus. The Air Force needs 1,500 new pilots each year, and the command has overhauled its Undergraduate Pilot Training. The result is a plan called the Future of Undergraduate Pilot Training. The command also works with the T-7 Red Hawk trainer aircraft. The 19th Air Force has created a Flying Training Center of Excellence. In October 2026, eighteen Air Force officers earned their silver wings at a graduation ceremony for Class 27-02.

Services

• Aircrew flying training
• Remotely piloted aircraft training
• Air battle manager training
• Weapons director training
• Air Force Academy airmanship
• SERE training
• Undergraduate Pilot Training