AETC leaders convene at JBSA-Randolph for Gathering of the Torch
Led by Lt. Gen. Clark J. Quinn, commander of AETC, the conference provided a collaborative forum to synchronize command-wide strategic vectors, accelerate warfighter development, and address critical quality-of-life and operational initiatives across the Command.
“As the First Command, we bear a profound responsibility,” Quinn said. “The Airmen we are training today will lead tomorrow’s fight, serving as our future Chief of Staff, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, wing commanders, and senior enlisted leaders. The standards we set, the character we instill, and the rigor we demand right now in our classrooms and on our flightlines will directly determine whether our nation deters conflict or prevails if called to fight.”
Following Quinn's message, Chief Master Sgt. Chad W. Bickley, AETC command chief, addressed the audience about the critical need to instill a warrior mindset across the total force.
“Doing hard things together builds toughness and strengthens culture,” Bickley said. “Resilience isn’t built in a comfort zone; it’s forged when Airmen face demanding, ambiguous challenges as a team and learn to adapt. As leaders, our job isn’t to insulate our formations from friction; it’s to teach them how to navigate it. We have to empower our Airmen to lead boldly, make decisions under pressure, and take smart, disciplined risks at every echelon.”
Subsequent command-wide briefings addressed key institutional drivers across the training and education enterprise. Headquarters staff and directorate leads delivered in-depth sessions on Programmed Flying Training, recruiting transformations, enterprise public affairs and marketing efforts, and fiscal year 2026–2027 financial execution. Additional briefings led by the Enterprise Learning Engineering team and the Air Force Civil Engineer Center highlighted extended reality and virtual reality (XR/VR) training strategies alongside infrastructure modernization programs.
Senior leaders also focused extensively on foundational support and installation vitality, receiving dedicated updates from the AETC logistics directorate and the 502nd Air Base Wing regarding dormitory standards and permanent party housing improvements. Parallel sessions throughout the day brought together spouses and command leadership to address critical family quality-of-life matters, including military family resilience, K-12 education, child-care access, and interstate professional licensing reciprocity.
Discussions also focused on specific modernization pathways across foundational, flying, and technical training pipelines. Second Air Force leadership presented the roadmap for Basic Military Training while Air University provided institutional updates on professional military education.
Nineteenth Air Force and operations directors conducted a comprehensive review of undergraduate pilot production, basic instructor training, and the path toward Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the T-7A Red Hawk.
Leadership emphasized that replacing the T-38 Talon is critical to closing fourth- and fifth-generation training gaps and discussed how the T-7A's advanced Live, Virtual, and Constructive (LVC) environments will modernize student training by shifting the focus from basic flight handling to complex mission command and tactical decision-making.
To ensure a seamless transition, the leadership team discussed how they are actively managing programmatic timelines and synchronizing milestones with operational requirements, establishing a clear roadmap to qualify the initial instructor cadre and prepare for the first official class of T-7 student pilots.
Long-range force development took center stage during a presentation by the command's Chief Learning Officer outlining the nine-year learning strategy.
"You don't have to wait for someone else to grant permission to fix what is broken,” said Dr. Wendy Walsh, AETC chief learning officer. “Whether you are a wing commander, an enlisted military training instructor, or a civilian educator, you own an area of influence. Real readiness is built on character and accountability, ensuring every Airman is anchored in warrior identity and prepared to lead with competence and confidence in any environment."
Additionally, attendees examined broader enterprise transitions, including the Air Force Medical Command (AFMEDCOM) transition, Defense Health Agency support, Wounded Warrior Project initiatives, and ongoing improvements to the permanent change of station process spearheaded by the Air Force Personal Property Activity Headquarters. Concurrently, command spouses toured training facilities at JBSA-Lackland during the Blue Skies Tour.
The symposium concluded with a formal readback of new taskings by the AETC Chief of Staff and closing guidance from Quinn, establishing concrete milestones for wing commanders to execute across their respective installations throughout Fiscal Year 2027.
“Future fights won't wait for slow processes,” Quinn said. “Gathering of the Torch brings our leaders together to clear roadblocks, take better care of our families, and make sure our training, from the classroom to the flightline, develops Airmen who can execute under pressure.”
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