JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- As the United States celebrates its 249th Independence Day, the Airmen of the 12th Flying Training Wing reflect on the enduring values of freedom, self-governance, and service that continue to shape the nation, and guide their mission.
Charged with developing the next generation of U.S. Air Force aviators, the 12th FTW is responsible for training instructor pilots, educating combat systems officers, and preparing remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) pilots and multi-domain operations aviators. The wing also supports joint and international partners, making it one of the most diverse and essential training organizations in Air Education and Training Command.
These responsibilities tie directly to the principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, by ensuring the Air Force remains ready to defend national sovereignty and global stability. The wing’s mission helps secure the freedoms declared in 1776 by building a force capable of responding to threats and supporting peace.
Securing Liberty Through Readiness
Readiness is not a slogan, it’s a standard. For the 12th FTW, it means producing highly trained aviators ready to operate in complex environments and meet evolving threats with confidence, skill, and integrity. Through its rigorous flight and classroom instruction, the wing directly supports the Air Force’s ability to deter adversaries, respond to crises, and preserve American freedom.
From the first day of training to the final check ride, each student is taught that liberty is not guaranteed, it is secured by those willing to serve. Graduates of the wing’s programs go on to operate the nation’s most advanced fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, and mobility aircraft. Others, such as RPA pilots, multi-domain operations aviators and combat systems officers, support global precision operations and real-time intelligence missions.
Preserving Life Through Deterrence and Discipline
While the wing produces some of the world’s most capable aviators, its broader role is to develop Airmen who serve as disciplined, ethical stewards of military power. The 12th FTW instills a culture of professionalism where strength is balanced with restraint, and where the use of force is governed by law, responsibility, and purpose.
Whether they’re flying high-speed maneuvers in a T-38 or conducting virtual operations as part of an RPA crew, students are held to the highest standards. The training they receive doesn’t just prepare them for combat, it prepares them to preserve life by making calculated, lawful, and disciplined decisions when it matters most.
By projecting strength with precision and purpose, the 12th FTW trains warfighters to prevent conflict and protect innocent lives, at home and abroad.
As fireworks illuminate the Texas sky, the Airmen of the 12th Flying Training Wing stand watch, a modern force shaped by the founding ideals of 1776 and committed to securing them for generations to come.