AETC Commander visits 33rd Fighter Wing

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Commander of Air Education and Training Command, Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., visited the 33rd Fighter Wing Jan. 28 to connect with the new unit as he begins his command.

During his tour, the general received a status report on the wing and it's integrated Academic Training Center that is the school house for F-35 Joint Strike Fighter pilots and maintainers for the Air Force, Navy, Marines and future coalition partners.

The general met with wing leadership and later discussed his vision for AETC with Airmen, Sailors and Marines at an all-hands call.

He fielded questions from wing members regarding aircraft arrival, interim training, and the joint environment. One question focused on whether to integrate different services' training or to keep it separate.

"The training is still very service specific. I expect that to evolve over time. This gives us an opportunity to see what needs to stay specific and what should stay joint," said General Rice.

"The 33rd FW represents the first time we've engaged deeply in joint fighter training and could be a template for future endeavors," he continued. "In that way, the 33rd is unlike any other wing. They will train fighter pilots for the Air Force, Navy and Marines. We haven't tried that before and it's a great opportunity for us to demonstrate this concept can work. It's too early to tell whether joint training facilities like the 33rd will be the way of the future. Integration needs to happen over time and at the right time."

General Rice explained the relationship of AETC with the 33rd FW.

"AETC is providing the members what they need to get the job done," said General Rice.

AETC did just that by sending F-16s from the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB, Ariz., to serve as hands-on training devices to keep 33rd FW pilots and maintainers engaged in training missions before the F-35s arrive.

General Rice's parting words addressed his vision for AETC and his thoughts on the 33rd FW.

"I'm looking to the future to coordinate and synchronize (AETC) missions and activities," said General Rice. "I'm very pleased and impressed with what I have seen here. They (33rd) understand what's at stake here."