302nd Operations Group sees change during August training weekend

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Daniel Butterfield
  • 302nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Units within the 302nd Operations Group witnessed key leadership changes and the birth of a new squadron during a ceremony Aug. 8 at the Peterson Consolidated Club here.

The all-encompassing 302nd OG ceremony included the group's Operations Support Flight transition to an Operations Support Squadron, the assumption of command of that squadron as well as a change of command for the 731st Airlift Squadron. Each event during the ceremony was presided over by Col. Kurt D. Jones, 302nd OG commander.

"We have big changes happening here in the operations group ... and that's a great thing," Colonel Jones said.

Lt. Col. Jennie Johnson, a traditional reservist and C-130 Hercules navigator, took the reins of the newly-established 302nd Operations Support Squadron.

"Not only is she an instructor navigator in the unit, but she has a degree in accounting and law," Colonel Jones said. "She also spent several years as the [302nd Airlift] Wing's judge advocate general. This all means she's smart, really smart ... so smart that I thought she should get the first opportunity at a command that became available."

In her remarks to 302nd OSS members and the ceremony audience, Colonel Johnson said she was looking forward to being the first commander of the squadron.

"Thank you for the opportunity and thank you for everything you do," said Colonel Johnson, a senior navigator with more than 1,400 hours of flight experience. "To the men and women of the 302nd AW, and especially the 302nd OSS: Commanders come and go, but you are the heart of the unit. You get the mission done. You are the reason we are as successful as we are."

Colonel Johnson replaced Lt. Col. Steven Foss, who commanded the organization when it was a flight. After the squadron standup and assumption of command ceremony, Colonel Foss assumed command of the 731st Airlift Squadron.

"You've pretty much got all the tools you need," commented outgoing 731st AS commander, Col. Courtney Arnold, to Colonel Foss. "You've already been a commander. You know this squadron. Keep doing what you're doing and everything will be just fine."

"[Colonel Foss] has a down to earth, straight talking 'let's get the job done' attitude," added Colonel Jones. "I'm confident the 731st (AS) will flourish under your leadership."

Soon after, Colonel Foss addressed the more than 100-person audience.

"I plan to build on traditions that you all have built," said Colonel Foss, a master navigator with more than 4,500 hours in two variations of C-130 aircraft. "I hope I can add some manner of improvement of my own in the course of doing this."

Colonel Arnold leaves his position as the 731st AS commander to become the 302nd AW's vice commander.

"I have come to trust that everyone here will handle these changes in stride without looking back," said Colonel Jones. "Everyone knows how to get the mission done."

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