AAF Training During WWII

Published May 04, 2015

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DAYTON, Ohio -- AAF Training During WWII exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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DAYTON, Ohio -- Link Trainer on display in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Primary Flying School. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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BT-13 in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo)

One of the greatest accomplishments of the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II was the training of hundreds of thousands of flying and ground personnel for its air armada. Coming from all walks of life, they were molded into the most formidable Air Force the world had ever seen. Before the war, few of them knew much about aviation, but by the time Japan surrendered in 1945, they had become experts in their fields. In March 1944 their numbers reached a maximum of 2,411,294 -- approximately 31 percent of the total strength of the U.S. Army.

For additional information on aviation training during WWII, click on one of the following links.

Cadet Program
Into the Sky: Primary Flying School
Crossroads: Basic Flying School
Winning Their Wings: Advanced Flying School
Forging Combat Pilots: Transition Training
Shooting the Sun: Navigators
Link Trainer

Click here to return to the World War II Gallery.

Find Out More

Other Resources

USAF Historical Study No. 2: Initial Selection of Candidates for Training (Provided by AFHRA)

Training to Fly: Military Flight Training, 1907-1945 (Provided by AFHSO)

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AAF Training During WWII

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