1st UPT mates return after 50 years

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - Five classmates from the first Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) class toured their old stomping grounds July 3 at Columbus Air Force Base. The members of UPT Class 71-01 stepped onto base with a sense of familiarity and unanimously agreeing, although the base looked different, it felt very familiar to their time here 50 years ago. The member’s began their journey in UPT on July 17, 1969. Two of the former classmates, Robert Lacey and retired Col. James Donnelly, flew in a T-1A Jayhawk with the 48th Flying Training Squadron. The other three members, retired Brig. Gen. Raymond Franck, retired Maj. William Buchanan, and retired Capt. William Hodges, flew T-6 Texan II, T-1 Jayhawk and T-38 Talon simulators to experience the virtual skies of CAFB. Capt. Jeremy Dunbar, 37th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot, was the coordinator for the 50th anniversary event. It was an “incredible opportunity for (CAFB) to experience our heritage and hear about what pilot training was like 50 years ago,” he said. (Source: CAFB 07/12/19)