TOP STORY >> AETC commander visits Little Rock AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, tours the inside of a C-130J Super Hercules on Aug. 22 at Little Rock Air Force Base. During his tour, Roberson spoke to crew chiefs who recently received a Black Letter Initial, which is earned when there are zero major discrepancies regarding aircraft maintenance during a flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Regina Edwards)

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, and 314th Airlift Wing members discuss the role of the maintenance flight control trainer Aug. 22 at Little Rock Air Force Base. The trainer simulates the flight control rigging, hydraulic utility and booster systems of C-130 aircraft for maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Serrano)

By Airman Grace Nichols

19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

U.S Air Force Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson, commander of Air Education and Training Command, witnessed first-hand Aug. 22-23, how pipeline C-130 training provided by the 314th Airlift Wing ensures the success of combat airlift as he visited different units at Little Rock Air Force Base.  

“Development of our Airmen is really where airpower starts,” Roberson said. “Airpower truly starts here.”  

As the cornerstone of combat airlift, the 314th AW is the largest international flying training program in the Department of Defense. The U.S. military and coalition partners receive premier training at the 314th AW’s state-of-the-art facilities that produce combat airlifters for C-130 operation. Academic training with other service branches and countries strengthen operational partnerships.

“Our international partners look to us for their training and how to best operate their air force – especially with the C-130,” Roberson said. “We are the standard that our international partners look to for C-130 operations.”

The 314th AW is the nation’s tactical airlift “Center of Excellence” and trains C-130 aircrew and maintenance members from the Department of Defense, Coast Guard and 47 partner nations.  

“The 314th AW is absolutely critical in so many aspects of the Air Force and for airpower,” Roberson said. 

The 314th AW partners with the Air National Guard unit, the 189th Airlift Wing, to provide training on the C-130J and H models, respectively.  Together, they are able to educate the C-130 community on legacy and emerging C-130 aircraft and technology.

By the end of his visit, Roberson was able to see first-hand the full capabilities of the 314th AW and Team Little Rock.