Institution History
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Download the AFIT Centennial History Timeline Magazine
On 10 November 1919, Colonel Thurman Bane received authorization to begin instruction at the Air School of Application. The following year, the first class of seven officers graduated from the newly-named Air Services Engineering School. Now, more than 100 years later, the Air Force Institute of Technology has awarded more than 22,000 degrees and more than 750,000 people have gone through its continuing education courses.
The new millennium ushered in many advancements including:
2023
- AFIT alum, CMSgt David Flosi (M.S. Logistics and Supply Chain Management, 2010), was selected to be the 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force
- AFIT alum, Alper Gezeravci (M.S. Operations Research, 2008), was selected to be the first Turkish citizen in space
- The Civil Engineer School celebrated 75 years of educating Department of the Air Force and Joint Services students to enable effective engineers.
- AFIT gained membership in the U.S. Space Command’s Academic Engagement Enterprise joining 16 other universities and research centers to enhance the relationship between DOD and academia.
- The first data science master's program cohort graduated in March. The 18-month in-residence program provides mathematical and statistical foundations, along with education in data engineering, as well as knowledge in developing artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms.
- The Civil Engineer School successfully completed the first offering of the Air Force Civil Engineer Intermediate Course designed to enhance officer development in tactical and technical areas of installation support, contingency operations, and organizational leadership for captains with four to seven years of CE experience.
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2022
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2021



2020
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2019

2018

2017
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2016
- AFIT established its newest school - the School of Strategic Force Studies (AFIT/EX) - through a realignment of two existing Air University units: The National Security Space Institute (NSSI), located at Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, CO and The Air Force Nuclear College, located at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, NM. With the establishment of this new school, AFIT became the home for both graduate degree education and professional continuing education related to nuclear, space and cyber operations.
- Two patents were awarded to AFIT faculty and alumni
- The inaugural class of the School for Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies graduated Sept. 7, 2016, at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
- Dr. James Petrosky and Lt Col James Fee were appointed as AFTAC Endowed Term Chairs
- Major Christina Rusnock was selected for the 2015 AETC Officer Educator of the Year Award
- AFIT Hosted Its Largest Group of STEM Students for National Engineers Week
- Two AFIT faculty members and 4 alumni were winners in the 2016 Air Force Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Awards program
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2015
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2014

2013

2012

2011
- AFIT and the AF Cyberspace Technical Center of Excellence graduated the first ever class of Cyberspace Warriors in two professional development courses for cyberspace professionals
- Secretary of the Air Force, Michael B. Donley visited AFIT
- The Civil Engineer School trained at the Silver Flag Exercise Site at Tyndall AFB to provide hands-on education in force beddown, rapid runway repair, disaster preparedness, services, fire rescue, bare base assets, and command and control
- The School of Systems and Logistics developed 14 courses for the Iraqi Security Forces and Ministry of Defense on logistics, supply chain management, maintenance, readiness, financial management, and project management

What started as a school for select officers has grown into a premier educational institution for both officer and enlisted students, international students, Department of Defense civilians, and members of all branches of the armed services. However, some things never change. We continue to stress excellence in education and research to move AFIT through the twenty-first century, retaining its flexibility and resourcefulness in accomplishing its mission; just as it has done since its inception 102 years ago.
CHANGING NAMES FOR A GROWING INSTITUTE
1919-1920: Air School of Application
1920-1926: Air Service Engineering School
1926-1941: Air Corps Engineering School
1944-1945: Army Air Forces Engineering School
1945-1947: Army Air Forces Institute of Technology
1947-1948: Air Force Institute of Technology
1948-1955: United States Air Force Institute of Technology
1955-1956: Institute of Technology, USAF
1956-1959: Air Force Institute of Technology
1959-1962: Institute of Technology
1962-Present: Air Force Institute of Technology