Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

The Air Force’s newest commissioned officers a part of Officer Training School class 19-07 throw their flight caps in the air following their graduation ceremony Sept. 27, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama. Officer Training School’s class 19-07, or also known as “Godzilla Class” is the school’s largest class in history and pushed OTS to its maximum capacity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Charles Welty)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a fly-over of the Cramton Bowl stadium during the Officer Training School parade and graduation of "Godzilla" class 19-07 Sept. 27, 2019, Montgomery, Alabama. Due to the sheer size of class 19-07, this was the first appearance the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have made at an Officer Training School graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Quay Drawdy)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

A newly commissioned officer a part of the Air Force’s Officer Training School class 19-07 participates in the graduation ceremony Sept. 27, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama. Officer Training School’s class 19-07, also known as “Godzilla Class,” spent the last eight weeks taking part in a series of field training and classroom leadership exercises preparing them to become Air Force officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Charles Welty)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform a fly-over during the Officer Training School parade and graduation of class 19-07 Sept. 27, 2019, Montgomery, Alabama. Due to the sheer size of class 19-07, this was the first appearance the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have made at an Officer Training School graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Charles Welty)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

Military training instructors from Officer Training School “Godzilla” class 19-07 march forward during a graduation ceremony Sept. 27, 2019, Montgomery, Alabama. Class 19-07, also known as “Godzilla Class,” spent the last eight weeks taking part in a series of field training and classroom leadership exercises preparing them to become Air Force officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Quay Drawdy)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

The Air Force’s newest second lieutenants perform the pass and review during their graduation ceremony at the Cramton Bowl football field Sept. 27, 2019, Montgomery, Alabama. Officer Training School’s class 19-07, also known as “Godzilla Class,” spent the last eight weeks taking part in a series of field training and classroom leadership exercises preparing them to become Air Force officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexa Culbert)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

The Air Force's newest commissioned officers from the Officer Training School class 19-07 form up on the Cramton Bowl football field Sept. 27, 2019, Montgomery, Alabama. Officer Training School’s class 19-07, also known as “Godzilla Class,” was comprised of 800 officer trainees and warranted a graduation venue off-base. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Quay Drawdy)

Air University’s “Godzilla” class graduates OTS

Published Sept. 27, 2019
By Staff Sgt. Quay Drawdy
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --

Air University’s Officer Training School class 19-07 has run its course, boosting the number of Air Force commissioned officers by 651 after the graduation parade Sept. 27, 2019, in Montgomery, Alabama.

The “Godzilla” class began in July with 800 trainees, and 149 of those new officers completed the program through an off-ramp after five weeks based on their career specialty.

Lt Gen Anthony Cotton, Commander and President of Air University, served as the reviewing official for the parade and led the new officers in the oath of office, before a flyover by the Air Force Thunderbirds.

“With your training complete, your Air Force career can officially begin,” said Cotton. “Your instructors have given you the tools you’ll need to lead in our Air Force and secure our future. For you who are graduating this morning, this marks the beginning of an adventure. For some, a part-time adventure—for others, one that will be life-long. For all you however, I can guarantee that it will be a challenging and fulfilling experience—one that will place great demands on your abilities, both personally and professionally—and simultaneously, offer you great self-satisfaction.”

The graduation parade for the “Godzilla” class occurred at the Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery, due to the size of the class and the friends and family that came to support the new Air Force officers.

“It is thanks to the city of Montgomery that we’re able to celebrate these new officers with a graduation parade at the Cramton Bowl,” Cotton said. “Thank you to all the family and friends that traveled to celebrate these fine men and women. Congratulations to each and every one of you.”

Throughout the course of OTS, the officer trainees, now Second Lieutenants, spent their days in classrooms, obstacle courses, and firing ranges all while learning to develop and hone their own brand of leadership. Following the graduation, these new officers will continue on to their respective assignments where they will assume roles to foster their development as the next generation of Air Force leaders.

More photos and videos from the “Godzilla” class are available on the Air University website, DVIDS page and social media platforms.