USAF's future Formal Training Units for Ghostrider and Grey Wolf announced

On 20 November 2020, the Secretary of the Air Force selected Kirtland AFB (NM) as the preferred location for the relocation of the AC-130J Ghostrider Formal Training Unit (FTU). Maxwell AFB (AL) has been chosen as the preferred location to host the MH-139A Grey Wolf Formal Training Unit.

The USAF selected Kirtland as the preferred location for the relocation of the AC-130J Ghostrider FTU from Hurlburt Field (FL). This action allows for Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) to realign its training mission under Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and consolidate AC-130J initial and Mission Qualification Training (MQT) at Kirtland. It is expected that seven Ghostriders will move to Kirtland in due time and that the first training by the FTU will commence in the summer of 2022.

At Maxwell, the first MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters are scheduled to arrive in 2023. The MH-139A FTU’s future mission is to train pilots in providing security and support for the nation’s Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) fields spanning Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, Colorado and Nebraska.

The MH-139A FTU mission will replace the mission of the Air Force Reserve’s 908th Airlift Wing’s ageing C-130Hs currently based at Maxwell AFB. The Grey Wolf closes the capability gaps of the UH-1N Huey in the areas of speed, range, endurance, payload and survivability in support of Air Force Global Strike Command's ICBM missions. Other mission capabilities include civil search and rescue, airlift support, National Capital Region missions, as well as survival school and test support.

For both preferred bases, the US Air Force will now conduct an environmental impact analysis before making its final basing decisions.

Photos: USAF