Army Air Forces Training Command

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Army Air Forces Training Command

The United States Army Air Forces’ Training Command was the main organization responsible for turning recruits into trained airmen during World War II. It began as the Flying Training Command (FTC) on January 23, 1942, was renamed Army Air Forces Flying Training Command (AAFTC) on March 15, 1942, and then merged with the Army Air Forces Technical Training Command to form Army Air Forces Training Command on July 31, 1943. After the war, it was redesignated Air Training Command (ATC) on July 1, 1946, and in 1993 was consolidated with Air University to become today’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC), which celebrated its 75th anniversary in January 2017.

Mission and structure
AAFTC was one of several major subordinate commands under the Air Staff, organized by function. Its core task was to run the flying program for new pilot candidates, air cadets, and the related training pipelines for aircrews. The command trained pilots, flying specialists, and combat crews through a multi-stage process that prepared airmen for specific duties, from basic training to specialized flight and technical skills.

World War II training system
- Flying training: Cadets progressed from primary to basic to advanced flight training, then to specific classifications such as pursuit (fighter), twin-engine, or multi-engine training. This sequence prepared them for operational or replacement training.
- Replacement and combat crew training: After initial flight training, successful graduates moved on to operational training units (OTUs) and replacement training units (RTUs) to join combat groups overseas.
- Technical and support training: The command also ran technical schools to train mechanics, radio operators, gunners, navigators, and other ground crews necessary to support a mobile air force.

Expansion and challenges
During the early war years, AAFTC faced a massive expansion. Flying schools and training centers were built or expanded rapidly, often at maximum capacity. Housing, instructors, and equipment had to be added quickly, sometimes with new airfields chosen to minimize interference with active air traffic. The West Coast center, for example, needed sites that avoided proximity to internment camps, while other regions rapidly grew to meet demand.

Contract flying schools and foreign training
To speed up pilot production, the Air Forces contracted civilian flying schools to provide primary training. By mid-war, dozens of contract schools operated, at times up to 64 in total, producing roughly 250,000 trained pilots. These civilian instructors used standard military discipline and curriculum while delivering flight instruction under government supervision.

The command also organized special training programs for international allies:
- British Flying Training School Program: US facilities hosted British cadets to train RAF pilots, helping supply pilots for the Commonwealth.
- Chinese training: The Air Corps conducted extensive training for the Chinese Air Force at several US fields.
- Other international students from Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere attended various programs in support of Allied war efforts.

Women and African Americans in training
- Women’s roles: The Army Air Forces implemented programs to train women for noncombat duties. The Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established in 1942 and became the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) in 1943. Women trained at Army Air Forces stations and filled a wide range of jobs, including technical and administrative positions. By war’s end, WAAC/WAC personnel served in thousands of capacities across the training command, with many taking on technical and skilled roles.
- WASP: The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were formed in 1943 to ferry aircraft and perform support flights. They flew many different aircraft types and contributed significantly to freeing male pilots for combat. The WASP program was disbanded in December 1944; many veterans did not receive military benefits until decades later, with benefits granted in 1977.

Key milestones in training and integration
- Tuskegee Airmen: The first African American military pilots trained under these programs earned their wings on March 7, 1942, at Tuskegee, Alabama. The 99th Pursuit Squadron and later the 332nd Fighter Group proved their valor in combat.
- Officer training: The Army Air Forces established Officer Candidate Schools (OCS) to prepare officers for leadership roles, including specialized tracks for adjutants, personnel, supply, intelligence, and other staff duties. Women’s training also included separate programs for medical officers, dentists, and other professionals.
- Glider training and foreign operations: The command supported glider training and contributed to allied cooperation in training pilots for glider and transport missions.

Demobilization and legacy
As World War II ended, training programs contracted significantly. By late 1945 and early 1946, many bases reduced operations, shifted focus to peacetime needs, and prepared for demobilization. On January 1, 1946, AAFTC was renamed Air Training Command, which later became a major command of the newly formed U.S. Air Force on September 27, 1947. In 1993, Air Training Command merged with Air University to form today’s Air Education and Training Command (AETC), continuing the legacy of military aviation education and training.

Note on sources
This account is drawn from historical records of the Army Air Forces Training Command and its evolution into modern Air Education and Training Command, reflecting the organization, training programs, notable units, and key milestones of the WWII era.