The people and aircraft that develop all U.S. Air Force personnel will bring their resources to centerstage at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2023, as the USAF Air Education and Training Command (AETC) is among the highlighted units at this year’s event. The 70th edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 24-30 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
“The Air Force’s Air Education and Training Command has a much wider reach than even most aviation enthusiasts would imagine, which makes AirVenture an outstanding location to highlight all of the command’s capabilities,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Those capabilities will be showcased in the air and during ground presentations throughout the week at Oshkosh.”
Final announcements on participating aircraft and activities will be announced as they are finalized but will include aircraft from throughout the Air Force. Along with aircraft displays and aerial demonstrations, AETC will feature diverse elements such as critical care air transport with a C-17, military working dogs, and explosive ordinance disposal. The Air Force’s Band of the West will also perform during the week.
“AETC is referred to as the First Command because nearly every Airman starts at AETC, and we’re proud to be responsible for establishing the foundation for so many Air Force careers,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson, AETC commander. “Across basic military training, technical training and pilot training, our force generators are developing empowered Airmen who are advancing the U.S. Air Force’s strategic advantage to defeat our competitors. Oshkosh is an excellent opportunity for us to showcase AETC’s members and how we recruit, training, and educate the Airmen our nation needs.”
Air Education and Training Command, with headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, was established and activated in January 1942, making it the oldest major command in the Air Force. AETC’s training mission makes it the first command to touch the lives of nearly every Air Force member. Over the years, more than 25 million students have graduated from AETC training and education programs.
