The 306th Flying Training Group realigned under the 12th Flying Training Wing in a ceremony at the Air Force Academy airfield in Colorado Springs, Colo. “It’s fitting that the 306th Flying Training Group, which hosts US Air Force Academy airmanship programs and screening for rated flying positions, joins our family,” said Col. Richard Murphy, commander of the 12th FTW, during the June 5 ceremony. The wing is headquartered at JBSA-Randolph, Tex. “The 12th Flying Training Wing, with operations in Texas, Florida, and now Colorado, is separated by more than 1,600 miles. Yet we are one team with one mission: to deliver unrivaled airpower leaders for the future of our United States Air Force,” said Murphy. Academy officials said the realignment will not change the 306th FTG’s mission: to ensure powered flight, soaring, and parachuting courses contribute measurably to cadets’ leadership and character development. Air Education and Training Command boss Gen. Edward Rice ordered the realignment due to the scheduled inactivation of 19th Air Force, they said. (Colorado Springs report by Bekah Clark)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.