LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 85th Flying Training Squadron (FTS), also known as the ‘Tigers’, hosted its second annual ‘Tiger for a Day’ for 60 local children, Aug. 5, 2025. The fifth of August, 8/5, is a special day for the Tigers to celebrate their heritage and training mission.
Instructor pilots from the 85th FTS spent the day guiding participants through their everyday lives, from flight rooms to flight simulators, and even out to the flightline for an up-close look at the T-6A Texan II.
“Bringing school age children into the squadron and immersing them into what it is like being a part of an Air Force Flying squadron helps instill a sense of pride and brings awareness to what goes on behind the scenes of those T-6s they see flying each day,” said 1st Lt. Jacob Simon, 85th FTS, instructor pilot. “The excitement we see from the kids throughout these events such as Tiger for a Day leaves us all thinking about similar moments in our childhoods that inspired us to become USAF pilots.”
Participants had the chance to ask questions about the intricacies of pilot training throughout their tour. During their simulator experience children got the chance to fly the T-6 and handle the same controls student pilots use.
After flying the simulators, participants headed out to the flightline where they got to see the T-6 up close and try on Aircrew Flight Equipment gear such as helmets and harnesses. Taking what they learned with the simulators, the kids saw how flight simulators translate to the real controls.
The 85th FTS is an undergraduate pilot training squadron at Laughlin that utilizes the T-6 to train the next generation of Air Force and Allied Nation pilots. Through a rigorous syllabus, student pilots undergo classroom instruction, flight simulators and T-6 flights before earning their silver wings, marking them as trained pilots.
This year’s event saw over double the participants from last year, and the 85th FTS plans to continue its strategic effort in community outreach and recruitment to further ignite a passion for aviation in the next generation.
“Tiger Day has positive impacts throughout the community by inspiring the next generation to be aviators to serve communities and the nation,” said Lt. Col. Imran Khan, 85th FTS, commander. “We would like to continue to see Tiger Day scaling up, with more students each year to continue to make a positive impact in the local community.”