About the Air Force Institute of Technology

CELEBRATING 99 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

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 nine students graduated from the newly named Air Services Engineering School. Now, 98 years later, the Air Force Institute of Technology has awarded over 21,300 degrees and more than 400,000 people have gone through our continuing education courses!

The new millennium ushered in many advancements including:

2017

• The Graduate school unveiled a new additive manufacturing 3D metal printer and hosted a symposium focusing on the future of additive manufacturing
• AFIT offered a new program to support the systems engineering acquisition workforce
• AFIT Began Preparation for HLC Reaffirmation of Accreditation in 2020 and developed a major Quality Initiative Project to demonstrate the institution's commitment to continuous improvement.
• Dayton Daily News highlighted AFIT's cyber warfare contribution
• AFIT alum, with AFIT faculty collaborators, awarded a patent for "Stereoscopic 3-D Presentation for Air Traffic Control Digital Displays" (U.S. Patent Number 9,667,947)
• AFIT alum selected as AFRL Commander

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

 2015

• AFIT begins new School for Advanced Nuclear Deterrence Studies (SANDS)
• Air University's National Security Space Institute and Nuclear College professional continuing education programs transfer to AFIT
• Professor Dr. Richard Martin won the 2014 Air Force Outstanding Science and Engineering Educator Award
• The NSA and Department of Homeland Security renewed the designation of AFIT as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research

 2014

• Secretary of the Air Force, Deborah Lee James visited AFIT
• AF Chief Scientist, Dr. Mica Endsley visited AFIT
• Associate Professor Dr. Peter Collins was presented with the 2013 Harold Brown award for his research on weapons systems survivability
• MSG Jeffrey Morris, USA, became the first enlisted student to earn a PhD at AFIT

2013

• The School of Systems and Logistics celebrated its 50th anniversary
• AFIT's first "ALICE" satellite was launched into space to study new carbon nanotube technology
• AFIT's Center for Cyberspace Research was designated as NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations
• AFIT graduates the first students from Singapore

2012

• Dr. Todd Stewart became AFIT’s first civilian director and chancellor
• AFIT entered into its first international collaborative R&D agreement with the Univ of Toledo and Kwangwoon Univ in Seoul, South Korea to study nano-sensors and nano-materials
• Establishment of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Scientific Test & Analysis Techniques in Test and Evaluation Center of Excellence (OSD STAT T&E)

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 95 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