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Caution: 325th TRSS "Black Bears" are in the area

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sergio A. Gamboa
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Florida is considered to be "bear country" and Tyndall is no exception to that rule. So if you want to see some bears in action, all you'll need to do is take a trip to the 325th Training Support Squadron - the home of the unit that calls themselves the "Black Bears." 

Activated in Jan. 2011 to consolidate and integrate several air dominance operations training functions, the 325th TRSS is one of Tyndall's newest squadrons.
The units' vision is to have mission-focused experts providing unsurpassed training realism to air dominance warriors.

"Our mission statement says it all:  We conduct unrivaled virtual training and academic instruction to produce and develop the world's finest F-22 air dominance team for global operations," said Lt. Col. Matthew Zamiska, 325th TRSS commander. "By executing this mission, we directly contribute to the wing's mission of training and projecting combat airpower.

"For the training piece, the [325th]TRSS is responsible for teaching new F-22 Raptor students the systems, aircraft performance capabilities, and how to fly the aircraft so they can safely get into an F-22 and not only fly it, but also employ it," he added. "The squadron also helps prepare the 95th Fighter Squadron for their worldwide deployment commitments by developing missions that are realistic and challenging and then flying them first in the simulators."

The unit consists of 70 civilian personnel and 6 military member and five sections; civilian simulator/academic Instructors, facilities and security and data systems management, scheduling, training and weapons. They all play a role on making the 325th TRSS mission happen.

"We have the best F-22 expertise in the Air Force under one roof to provide academic and tactical training," Zamiska said. "That is just our simulator instructor crowd - which is a group of retired lieutenant colonels and colonels, by the way. 

"The personnel filling our other 46 positions are equally as committed to supporting the mission," Zamiska added. "The vast majority of these personnel have also served in the military.  They speak the language, have amazing work ethics and are dedicated to meeting the squadron's mission ... and they enjoy what they are doing.  It never ceases to amaze me how productive a happy group of people can be. "

The 325th TRSS has many aspects to it beyond just the simulators and academics.  They have a courseware section, which includes graphic artists that help design and build the products the students see. Also, it has security personnel that maintain the integrity of seven "vaulted," secure facilities in the 325th Operations Group and 325th Maintenance Group.

Along with that, the squadron has nine schedulers operating in all five 325th OG squadrons. I it also has Graduate Training Integration Management Systems personnel that ensure the scheduling of student training within that computer system happens smoothly and efficiently with the latest software. 

"We also have three IT personnel that oversee the technical aspects of operations of a $250 million training facility," Zamiska said. "Lastly, we have Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) personnel who make sure the squadrons can fully utilize the capabilities of our over-water ranges and subsequently debrief the missions they execute. We are a hodgepodge of different pieces that, when working together, create one of the most effective operations at Tyndall Air Force Base."