Keesler graduates first BMT det

KEESLER AFB, Miss. - For the first time since 1968, a flight of Airmen have graduated from Air Force basic military training (BMT) outside of Lackland AFB, Texas. Nearly 60 Airmen from the 37th Training Wing Detachment 5 marched across the Levitow Training Support Facility drill pad at Keesler AFB on May 15 signifying their completion of an historic training evolution. Due to safety concerns stemming from COVID-19, the AF sent new recruits to Keesler to demonstrate a proof of concept to generate the force at multiple locations during contingencies. “We are deliberately developing options to disperse the delivery of BMT during contingencies to provide surge capacity and introduce agility into the training pipeline construct,” said Maj. Gen. Andrea Tullos, 2nd Air Force commander, when explaining the purpose of the changes back in March. “This will also help provide relief to the military training instructor staff and ease the strain on our BMT infrastructure.” (Source: Keesler AFB 05/15/20)