Tyndall activates new training squadron

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Tyndall recently witnessed the activation of the 325th Training Support Squadron, which will help train and support leaders to guarantee our nation's Air Dominance for years to come.

"The unfurling of the squadron's guidon marked the official beginning of the squadron," said Lt. Col. Doug Kugler, 325th TRSS commander. "Our responsibility is to manage resources and conduct unrivaled academic and simulator training to produce America's Air Dominance Team of F-22 Pilots, Air Battle Managers and Intelligence Officers for worldwide assignment."

The new squadron will support training for more than 250 students annually.

The staff of 49 contractors and more than 110 active duty service members and civilian personnel, will provide the support needed to train students.

"We have been fortunate to transition the majority of our tactical and corporate knowledge from contract support personnel to the government civilian service," said Lt. Col. Richard Koch, 325th TRSS director of operations. "This group of professionals enables the continued production of our future Air Dominance Warriors."

The 325th TRSS will help conduct a number of courses.

"The 325th TRSS is responsible for conducting F-22 academic and simulator training, 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft academic and simulator training in support of Air Battle Manager training, and portions of Intelligence Formal Training Unit courses for Intel officers," said Colonel Kugler. "We also provide simulator training for visiting unit personnel such as United States Air Force Weapons School, Air National Guard units and Maintenance engine run certifications for crew chiefs."

The unit is also responsible for managing the wing's Graduate Training Information Management System, operations scheduling, facility security and Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation range operations.

"The 325th TRSS is responsible for F-22 and Air Battle Manager syllabus and courseware development efforts," said Colonel Kugler. "Personnel assigned to these tasks work closely with 43rd Fighter Squadron and 325th Air Control Squadron personnel to ensure lessons and materials satisfy training requirements to produce Air Dominance leaders for the Combat Air Force. Prior to the squadron's activation, the 325th Operations Support Squadron directed many of these efforts."

Various 325th TRSS programs are spread across ten facilities.

"The four major facilities include Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation operations, the 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft simulation facility, the F-22 Academic & Simulator Building and the 4th Generation Fighter academic building co-located with the squadron's command section," said Colonel Kugler. "Squadron personnel are also located in six other facilities embedded in other units that we support, to include the 325th Operations Group, the 43rd FS, the 325th ACS and the 325th OSS."

Controlling assets at more than $130 million, the squadron was designed to consolidate a number of missions.

"There are several reasons the squadron was created," said Colonel Kugler. "Based on shrinking Air Force resources, the 325th OG implemented a significant contractor-to-civilian conversion effort. As a result, the 325th TRSS was activated to 'right-size' span of control issues and consolidate potential redundant support functions for F-22 and air battle manager training. Additionally, the 325th TRSS is tasked to realize the vision of an integrated simulator complex on Tyndall linking the F-22, 4th Generation Fighter Aircraft simulators and the Battle Control System-Tyndall devices together to support an increased reliance on simulators to meet training requirements."

This approach also standardized the Operations Group training architecture with other Air Force graduate training wings, added Colonel Kugler.