After Jim completed basic training at Lackland AFB, he was sent to James Connally AFB in Waco, Texas. He spent two months in Waco while still waiting for a cadet class opening. Jim was then assigned to Pilot Training Class 52-F (Fox) at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. 

Jim flew the T-6 Texan for basic pilot training at Columbus, and then was assigned to Webb AFB in Big Spring, Texas for advanced training in jets. He graduated on September 13, 1952. Since Jim was in what was referred to as the "pipeline to Korea," he was sent to Nellis AFB for combat crew training before going overseas. When Jim arrived in Korea, he was assigned to K-13 Air Base near Suwon.

Click on the thumbnail images below to see some photos of Jim's pilot training, which includes basic at Columbus AFB, advanced at Webb AFB, and combat crew (gunnery) at Nellis AFB.

 

Basic Pilot Training

 


Aviation Cadets from Squadron III

 


Jim and two other cadets from Squadron III 

 


Eugene Harshman and Jan Van den Engel 

 


Upperclassman and cadets

 


Aviation Cadet "clearing" a corner

 


T-6 at Columbus AFB

 


Jim's flight at Columbus AFB

 


Aviation Cadet Jim Escalle

 

Advanced Pilot Training

 


A few cadets from 52-F

 


Jim in front of barracks

 


Jim's flight group during T-28 phase

 


Cadets waiting to go up

 


Jim next to T-28A

 


Jim's flight instructor

 


Aviation Cadet preparing to go up

 


Capt. Sidney Nischan

 


Jim getting ready to go to altitude chamber

 


Boarding C-47 to go to Reese AFB

 


T-33 on flight line

 


Jim getting ready to go up

 


Sitting in the drivers seat of a T-33

 


Aviation Cadet and his instructor

 


Two cadets next to T-33

 


Ready to fly solo

 


Jim instructing a fellow student

 


F-86 Sabre at Webb AFB

 


Aviation Cadet Jimmy L. Escalle
(large photo)

 


Class 52-F in review

 


2nd Lt. Jimmy L. Escalle

 

Combat Crew Training

 


Jim next to his Oldsmobile at Nellis AFB

 


An instructor and two gunnery students 

 


An instructor surrounded by cadets

 


Instructor at Nellis AFB

 


Jim next to F-80C

 


Two gunnery students

 


Jim on F-86 wing

 


F-86 Sabre on flight line

 


F-86 Sabre and APU

 


Jim next to F-86 Sabre

 


Crew chief working on guns

 


One of the instructors 

 


F-86s on the flight line