The premier pilot training wing and community developing the world’s best Airmen.
2017 Economic Impact Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTE: The economic impact analysis (EIA) was prepared by the 14th Comptroller Squadron, Financial Analysis
Flight, to provide unclassified key information about the resources and economic impact of Columbus Air Force Base on
surrounding communities. It generally is limited to those counties that fall within a 50-mile radius of the base. However,
it may also include other counties where a material number of base personnel reside, or it may be less than 50 miles
due to natural barriers. All information contained herein is current as of September 30, 2017 and was produced using
the same methodology used by the Office of the Secretary of Defense during the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) studies. The methodology is consistent among all Air Force installations. Users of the EIA should note that any
calculations on the impact of spending would differ depending upon the type of model used. Questions or comments
concerning this report should be directed to 14 CPTS/FMA, 495 Harpe Blvd., Suite 251B, Columbus AFB, MS 39710-
1006, (662) 434-2696. All requests for additional information or copies of this report should be directed to the
14 FTW/PA (Public Affairs) at (662) 434-7068. This report is also available at www.columbus.af.mil.
2
Commander’s Message..............................................................................3
Columbus AFB Economic Impact...........................................................4
Personnel and Payroll................................................................................5
Annual Expenditures.................................................................................6
Construction................................................................................................7
Contracts, Supplies and Equipment.......................................................8
Miscellaneous Expenditures....................................................................9
Aircraft Inventory.....................................................................................10
Columbus AFB History............................................................................11
Over four decades ago the first 14 FTW Commander, Colonel Robert Tanguy, gave 21 civic leaders a unique
opportunity to experience the Air Force’s mission by touring multiple Air Force training bases. This trip gave those
leaders a first-hand look at military operations and how they were similar to other industries in our nation. It provided a
new perspective on the tremendous contributions that bases provide to local economies in addition to contributing to the
security of our nation, both at home and abroad.
Since then, the relationship between the 14 FTW and the local community has been engrained in our base identity.
This Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) Economic Impact Report continues to provide interested citizens, as well as state and local
leaders that same perspective on the Columbus Air Force Base (AFB) mission, history and financial impact on the local
economy.
Our mission requires us to
cultivate Airmen
professionally, personally, physically, mentally, spiritually and
socially. By investing in our Airmen’s growth, we directly impact the readiness and lethality of the Air Force. Our
successes are demonstrated by the numerous AETC-level and higher awards earned by members of Team BLAZE during
FY17 including one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year, MSgt Josh Matias; MSgt Anthony Dunn, 2017
International Affairs Excellence Award; and Captain Dana Volesky, the 2017 Juanita Redmond Award for Nursing.
The second tenant of our mission is to
create pilots
; this is accomplished through Specialized Undergraduate
Pilot Training (SUPT) where students fly the T-6A Texan II, the T-1A Jayhawk and the T-38C Talon aircraft at the
United States Air Force’s busiest airfield. In order to earn the coveted silver wings of an Air Force pilot, each student
undertakes an incredibly intense 54 week program comprised of rigorous academics, simulator training and aircraft
flights.
In addition to the SUPT program, the 14 FTW trains approximately 100 students per year in the Introduction to Fighter
Fundamentals (IFF) course, an intense 20-sortie program in the T-38C that prepares SUPT graduates for their follow-on
assignments in fighter aircraft. Columbus AFB is the only SUPT base where IFF is also conducted, adding to the complex
flying operations.
Another unique aspect to our flying operations, is the 81st Fighter Squadron, a geographically separated unit located at
Moody AFB, GA, where we train Afghan Air Force pilots and aircraft maintainers on the A-29 Super Tucano.
The third, but perhaps most important tenant of our mission, is for us to CONNECT. We need to connect with
our fellow Airmen, across Air Force Specialty Codes (jobs) to instill the Air Force’s wingman concept. We also need to
connect with our mission partners (contractors) who provide capability, capacity, and incredible levels of expertise. Just
as important, we need our families to be connected to our mission to retain them as well as retain our Airmen. Finally, we
need to connect with our community; the support the Friendly City provides is invaluable to our mission.
The 1,382 military and 1,383 civilian employees of Columbus AFB proudly deliver unmatched training,
maintenance and support to your Air Force and to the 5,774 retired military members that live in the Columbus area.
In FY17, the base generated $271.2 million in economic activity and provided 926 indirect jobs. This represents $145.8
million in payroll, $89.9 million on annual expenditures and $35.4 million generated by indirect jobs. These figures do not
include local retired military pay totaling $109.8 million.
This past year was one of tremendous accomplishment for Team BLAZE as we trained 418 pilots and hosted
international students from 25 different nations, accounting for over one-third of new Air Force pilots. The demand for
pilots is increasing and we are looking ahead to the future of pilot training. Through cooperation with other bases and
AETC, the 14 FTW is focused on accomplishing our mission through innovative ideas and embracing new technologies
to improve effectiveness and efficiency.
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
3
SAMANTHA A. WEEKS, Col, USAF
Commander, 14th Flying Training Wing
BLAZE 1
CAFB ECONOMIC IMPACT
4
FY17: $271.2 Million
Fiscal Year 2017 saw an increase of $10.4M in Columbus AFB’s total economic
impact compared with Fiscal Year 2016. The Economic Impact is measured in
three categories: Personnel & Payroll, Indirect Jobs, and Annual Expenditures.
The chart at right shows the economic impact
of Columbus AFB for the ten most recent
fiscal years. Historical trend data shows that
a range of $241M to $271M is a consistent
economic impact for Columbus AFB. The
spike in FY12 was due to the awarding
of several major construction contracts.
$259,768,032
$287,836,089
$256,918,198
$261,928,949
$343,233,169
$249,466,706
$241,414,722
$249,621,302
$260,773,034
$271,210,228
$0
$50,000,000
$100,000,000
$150,000,000
$200,000,000
$250,000,000
$300,000,000
$350,000,000
$400,000,000
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Payroll
$145,826,531
Annual
Expenditures
$89,934,417
Indirect Jobs
$35,449,280
Coast Guard, 53
Air Force, 1,786
Marines, 168
Army, 2,953
Navy, 814
PERSONNEL & PAYROLL
5
FY17: 145.8 Million
In FY17, Columbus AFB saw an increase of $1.3M in payroll from FY16. This can be
attributed to an increase in the number of military members assigned to Columbus AFB as
well as the pay increases accompanying our Columbus AFB Airmen’s promotions. In addition
to the contribution of payroll to the local economy, the base’s requirements and personnel
also energize the local economy and spark the creation of 926 indirect jobs totaling $35.4M.
Local Area Retirees: 5,774 local area military retirees contributed over $109.8 million to
the local economy in FY17. Note: This amount is not included in the base’s economic impact
of $271.2 million. The information is provided because the payroll local retirees receive
contributes to the local economy.
Personnel Payroll
6
ANNUAL EXPENDITURES
FY17: $89.9 Million
Annual Expenditures reflects what Columbus AFB spends apart from payroll. It is broken up
into three categories: Construction; Contracts, Supplies and Equipment; and Miscellaneous
Expenditures. See the following three pages for detailed breakdowns of each category.
Construction,
$8,558,001
Contracts, Supplies
and Equipment
$68,477,153
Miscellaneous Expenditures
$6,167,357
CONSTRUCTION
7
FY17: $8.5 Million
Construction is primarily made up of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contracts
used for a multitude of projects executed on Columbus AFB. The largest construction
projects include the replacement of the Munitions fence and lighting upgrades, the
renovation of the Ground to Air Radar (GTAR) towers, and the renovation of Hangar
456. Additionally, this amount includes the awarding of contracts to repaint the water
tanks for the Hangar Fire Suppression System, the construction of the new Blaze Fitness
Trail workout stations, and the repair of the 50th Flying Training Squadron’s roof.
Travel
$779,490
NAF MOA, MORDs and
616s, 448-2, $1,253,104
Transport of Property - Dity
Moves, $20,741
Centrally Managed
Contracts, $797,068
Service Contracts
$52,904,919
Supplies & Equipment
$5,406,856
Government Purchase
Card, $3,841,598
Other (Utilities,
Communications, Claims,
Permits), $2,996,635
CONTRACTS, SUPPLIES
AND EQUIPMENT
8
FY17: $75.1 Million
In FY 17, Contracts, Supplies and Equipment increased by $6.6M from FY16. Most
categories that fall under this umbrella saw a modest growth. Service contracts accounted
for 70% of contracts, supplies and equipment. These service contracts include the aircraft
maintenance contract, custodial services, grounds maintenance, sun shelter replacement, as well
as a physician assistant and many others.
Education: Impact Aid
$42,869
Health Care
$6,106,894
MISCELLANEOUS
EXPENDITURES
9
FY17: $6.2 Million
Approximately 99% of miscellaneous expenditures was attributed to health care. This section
highlights the support Columbus AFB received from regional area hospitals and medical services
via the T
RICARE contract. TRICARE is the health care program serving uniformed service
members, retirees, and their families. T
RICARE funding is managed by command; however, it
directly impacts the local economy, so it is included in Columbus AFB’s economic impact analysis.
T-38C
11,609
T-1A
8,491
T-6
32,868
T-38C IFF
4,726
T-38C
12,055
T-1A
18,299
T-6
41,949
T-38C IFF
4,183
AIRCRAFT INVENTORY
The T-38C Talon is a twin-engine, high altitude,
supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of
its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance,
high performance and exceptional safety record. The
T-38C features upgraded avionics and support systems, making
it closer to what pilots will fly in their follow-on aircraft. Columbus
AFB has 62 Talons assigned to SUPT and 29 assigned to IFF.
The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium range, twin-engine jet trainer
used in the advanced phase of SUPT for students selected
to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. The swept-wing T-1A is a
military version of the Beech 400A. The T-1A differs from
its commercial counterpart with structural enhancements
that provide for a large number of landings per flight hour,
increased bird strike resistance and an additional fuselage fuel
tank. Columbus AFB has 47 Jayhawks.
The T-6A Texan II is a single engine, two-seat primary trainer
designed to train students in basic flying skills common to
USAF pilots. Produced by Raytheon Aircraft, the T-6A Texan
II is a military trainer version of Raytheon’s Beech/Pilatus
Mk II. Columbus AFB received its first T-6 in October 2006
and now has 99 Texans in the inventory.
10
Aircraft Hours Flown: 76,509
Aircraft Sorties Flown: 57,770
Columbus AFB opened as an advanced flying school prior to World War II. On June 26, 1941,
the War Department announced Columbus’ selection as the site for an Army Air Corps pilot training
school.
Both instrument training and flying standardization
boards got their start at Columbus Army Flying School,
earning national recognition in Time magazine and the
New York Times. By the war’s end, the base, then known as
Columbus Army Air Field, had become one of the largest in
the Southeast, with four runways and eight auxiliary fields
and more than 7,700 students having received their pilot
wings. The base closed in 1945 and remained inactive until
the start of the Korean War. To meet the demands of war, the
nation’s pilot production goal more than doubled, to 10,000
annually, necessitating more training bases. This crisis impelled the Air Force to turn to contract pilot
training, which could expand capacity quickly and inexpensively. Columbus AFB reopened in 1951 as
a contract flying school operated by California Eastern Airways. The 3301st Pilot Training Squadron
oversaw the contract flight instruction of about 3,000 pilots in PA-18 Piper Cubs and AT-6s.
With the Korean War at an end, the decision was made to close the contract flying school
at Columbus. As the Air Force’s pilot training requirements were decreasing, its strategic air arm
was expanding. During the 1950s, as the Soviet Union threat grew more pronounced, Strategic Air
Command (SAC) bases became increasingly vulnerable targets. By providing more bases from which
the aircraft could be launched, the enemy’s targeting problem would be compounded. It was decided
to break up the large concentrations of aircraft and disperse them among other bases. Air Training
Command (ATC) relinquished command of Columbus AFB to SAC in April 1955. In 1958, Columbus
AFB became home to a B-52 bomber squadron and a KC-135 tanker refueling squadron.
Beginning in 1965, the same year it won the coveted
Fairchild Trophy as “Best in SAC,” Columbus’ 454th
Bombardment Wing deployed to the western Pacific to
support military operations in Vietnam. More than 100
missions were flown without losing a single bomber to
enemy fire.
After 14 years as a SAC base, Columbus rejoined ATC
on July 1, 1969, and resumed the mission for which it was
originally activated. In January 1993, the newly designated
Air Education and Training Command transitioned
Undergraduate Pilot Training to Specialized Undergraduate
Pilot Training. The new program consists of three phases
and three specialized tracks for the third phase of training. At the end of the second phase of training,
students track either helicopters, with training at Fort Rucker, Alabama; the T-1A “Jayhawk” for the
airlift/tanker track; or T-38C “Talon” for the fighter/bomber track. On 10 October 2006, Columbus
received the first T-6A “Texan II,” which is used for phase two of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot
Training. The T-6A eventually replaced the T-37 “Tweet.” The T-37 formally retired on 2 April 2008.
Today, Columbus Air Force Base continues to be the Air Force’s premier pilot training wing and
community developing the best Airmen in the world’s greatest Air Force.
11
B-52 sitting on the SAC ramp
COLUMBUS AFB HISTORY
Water tower on base
12
CONNECT
CREATE
PILOTS
CULTIVATE
AIRMEN
