Meet Lt. Col. Kugler Published Sept. 2, 2011 By Staff Sgt. Nick Kibbey 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The spirit of doing something for a cause greater than oneself is a quality instilled by family that led this Airman to a life of integrity, service and excellence. Lieutenant Col. Douglas Kugler, 325th Training Support Squadron commander, hails from New City, N.Y. As a high school freshman, Colonel Kugler knew he would join the military. He enlisted into the Air Force in 1983, commissioned in 1992, and became an air battle manager. As a master air battle manager, Colonel Kugler has 5,030 flying hours aboard E-3B/C Airborne Warning and Control System and E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft. Colonel Kugler was hired to take the lead of activating the 325th TRSS, which provides training resources and simulator training for F-22 Raptor pilots, air battle managers and intelligence officers. "My experiences from OPERATION DESERT STORM and DESERT SHIELD as a staff sergeant laid the foundation of knowledge on how to get things started from the ground up with prioritizing and acquiring resources to accomplish the mission," said Colonel Kugler. He is taking his experience as an air battle manager, along with the positive and negative feedback from students, to bring the 325th TRSS training to the peak of its capabilities in providing world-class training to its students in defense of the U.S. for years to come. Colonel Kugler's pride comes from the accomplishments of the people in his squadron that make it possible for the 325th TRSS to achieve the tasks they're given. He has always worked like he was the underdog and feeds off the energy that his squadron members emanate. "My squadron's attitude is to have a winning mind set," Colonel Kugler said. "We surround our students with winning concepts and winning people. Folks in my squadron are a winning team and I can't say how much I'm spoiled to have the ability to work with them." Colonel Kugler enjoys spending his free time with his wife, Elizabeth, and watching his son, Bradley play baseball.