New changes are flying into the Columbus Air Force

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – New changes are flying into the Columbus Air Force bade as the agency is facing a 10-year pilot shortage.

In December, the base will roll in new technology for students during their training.

Despite the history of pilot shortages and the pandemic, CAFB had the highest number of graduates this year since 1985.

“COVID affected us a lot early on but we’re a learning organization and we’ve grown over time. While it’s still a factor, it’s something that I would consider more of an annoyance thank anything at this time point. It’s just something we have to consider and work around but as you can see when we’re producing the most pilot we have in around 30 years, I would say that we’re doing a pretty good job working around it,” said Col. Seth Graham, CAFB

346 students graduated from pilot training this year.