These commands are in order from the lowest to highest:
- Flight
- Squadron
- Group
- Wing
- Numbered AF (NAF)
The AF divides its components into certain groupings or teams for organization, just as Basic Military Training (BMT) does when performing drill. Pay attention during drill and you can increase your understanding of the flight, squadron, group and wing concepts.
For instance, during parade, listen to the Military Training Instructor’s (MTI) spoken commands, such as “FLIGHT,”“SQUADRON” or “GROUP.”
Flight
The first or bottom level of command that falls below a squadron is a flight. A flight usually consists of several sections or elements that report to or fall under a squadron, for example, think of how a flight is organized of two to four elements for marching at BMT.
Squadron
A squadron is the level of command above a flight and below a group. The squadron is the basic unit in the AF organizational structure and consists of several flights. Squadrons vary in size according to their responsibilities and have 50-750 personnel. The squadrons assigned to BMT are the 319 TRS, 320 TRS, 321 TRS, 322 TRS, 323 TRS, 324 TRS, 326 TRS, 331 TRS, and the 737 TRSS.
Group
A group is the level of command above a squadron and below a wing. A group usually consists of several squadrons with 500-2000 personnel. All BMT squadrons belong to the 737th Training Group. Another group assigned to JBSA-Lackland is the 37th Training Group, which provides technical training to students through the many squadrons that fall under them.
Wing
The wing is a level of command above a group and below a Numbered Air Force. A wing has a distinct mission with a significant scope. It usually consists of several groups that maintain the installation with no fewer than 1,000 personnel assigned. Every member of BMT belongs to the 37th Training Wing, which is the largest training wing in the AF.
Numbered AF
A Numbered Air Force, or NAF, is a level of command directly above a wing and under a Major Command (MAJCOM). NAFs provide an intermediate level of operational leadership and supervision.
What NAF do you belong to? In the next section, you will learn that BMT falls under the Major Command (MAJCOM) of Air Education and Training Command (AETC). Since all AETC units are part of the 2 AF, this means your NAF is the 2 AF. The 2 AF is responsible for conducting basic military and technical training for AF non-flying enlisted members and support officers.