3615th Flying Training Wing

• Origins: The 3615th Flying Training Wing was established in 1948, as part of the newly independent United States Air Force, to conduct pilot training. • Location: The unit was based at Craig Air Force Base, near Selma, Alabama, a key site for USAF pilot training throughout the Cold War. • Mission: Its primary mission was undergraduate pilot training, using a variety of aircraft to prepare new Air Force pilots for operational assignments. • Aircraft: The 3615th utilized aircraft such as the T-33 Shooting Star, T-37 Tweet, and T-38 Talon to instruct new pilots in jet operations. • Contribution to Vietnam War: Many pilots trained by the 3615th FTW went on to serve in the Vietnam War, flying combat missions in Southeast Asia. • International Training: The wing trained not only American pilots but also foreign officers, strengthening military ties with allied nations. • Accident Rate: Pilot training was inherently dangerous in the early jet age, and the wing worked to significantly reduce accident rates through safety innovations and improved curricula. • Women in Training: The 3615th played a role in the integration of female pilots into USAF training programs during the late 1970s. • Organizational Changes: The wing underwent several reorganizations and redesignations as USAF training requirements evolved, reflecting broader changes in Air Force structure. • Closure and Legacy: The 3615th FTW was inactivated in 1977 when Craig AFB was closed, but its legacy lives on through thousands of pilots who trained under its banner.