Nearly 200 student pilots expected at Laughlin by end of summer

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  This August, the number of casual lieutenants waiting to begin Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin will significantly increase.

While there are only approximately 75 lieutenants currently in casual status, the number is expected to reach almost 250 by the end of summer as the Air Force's newest officers transition from their various commissioning programs to the active force.

The lieutenants will be assigned to various offices around the base, and will attend mandatory training before beginning SUPT, said Capt. Lori Josephson, Transition Office assistant flight commander.

In the past, officers awaiting pilot training were assigned to different bases around the world in a wide variety of career fields, said Lt. Col. Paul Beineke, 47th Operations Support Squadron commander.

"It will be more efficient to initially assign all officers awaiting pilot training to an SUPT wing," he added.

By not having to move twice to start training, the students only have to get settled at one base, Colonel Beineke said. "Having them here will make the scheduling process more flexible, so that we can take advantage of short notice training opportunities," he explained.

"Air Education and Training Command is attempting to reduce the amount of time it takes to go from arriving at your first duty station to becoming a mission ready pilot," the colonel continued. "Additionally, in an era of constrained resources this policy will result in substantial permanent change of station cost savings."

While waiting for a class start date, the students will be gainfully employed supporting the mission throughout the wing.

"Some will be in temporary jobs for two to three weeks, and then begin training within one month of arrival," Colonel Beineke explained. "Others will have the opportunity to become a part of teams and work centers throughout every group for several months before beginning training."

Further education is another option for the students, most of which have recently finished college.

"Foreign languages and masters degree programs are both options we plan to encourage," Colonel Beineke said. "[This time] is an excellent opportunity to accomplish some of the educational training the Air Force expects officers to pursue."

The colonel stressed the importance of making the new crop of future pilots feel welcome at Laughlin. More than ever before, Team XL will make the first impression on nearly a third of the total Air Force pilots produced each year, he said.

Colonel Beineke said despite the huge increase in base personnel, the process will be a smooth one.

The officers will have some choice in living arrangements, such as the pilot dorms, off-base apartments, on-base housing or off-base rentals, based on availability.

"The timing of their arrival, their family needs and personal preference for sharing rental responsibilities with classmates will all play a role," Colonel Beineke said. "As such it is hard to predict exactly where the majority will be housed, but there will be enough room."

SUPT is a 52-week course, and Laughlin graduates approximately 300 new pilots every year.