JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Col. Peter Lee, commander of the 12th Flying Training Wing, joined industry experts on a panel to discuss the trends, successes, and challenges facing the military training pipeline ecosystem. The panel, moderated by retired Lt. Gen. Anthony J. Rock, former Inspector General of the Air Force, was part of the Military Flight Training Summit, hosted by the Institute for Defense and Government Advancement, and took place in San Antonio.
As head of the 12th Flying Training Wing, Col. Lee is instrumental in shaping training strategies within the Air Force. During the panel, he shared insights into the evolving landscape of military training, addressing emerging challenges, technology integration, and operational efficiency. He was joined by Patrick Doherty, Executive Director of Air Force Operations and Strategic Marketing for Boeing Defense Space & Security; Philip Senna, Director of Business Development at Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd. (CAE); and Eric Carney, Director of Strategy and Business Development at Lockheed Martin.
Discussing the evolving role of pilot instructors, Col. Lee emphasized the importance of flexibility in training. “I think the future of pilot instruction will hinge on our ability to empower highly trained instructors to individualize training to the abilities of the student, instead of executing rigid syllabi,” he stated. This adaptability is essential for developing the skills needed in complex and diverse operational environments.
Emphasizing the blend of traditional and innovative methods in training, Col. Lee also noted, “The unchanging nature of aviation will always focus on people in cockpits. However, we have numerous other ways like Virtual Reality and advanced simulation that represent the rapidly evolving character of flight training. I would triple-down on blended reality systems that we can iterate quickly, and I would make sure we aren't wed to one high-cost training ecosystem."
The panel discussed how advancements in simulation and virtual reality are transforming pilot training, making it more accessible and adaptable to various training scenarios. However, they also acknowledged significant challenges, the need for rapid technology updates, and aligning training with real-world mission demands.
This year’s summit brought together defense leaders, industry innovators, and experts to explore collaborative strategies for military flight training. The discussion underscored the importance of joint efforts between the military and private sector to drive training innovation and ensure the readiness of America’s warfighters.