Wilde takes charge of OSS

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Daniel Butterfield
  • 302nd Airlift Wing
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. --  Lt. Col. Frank "Fritz" Wilde assumed command of the 302nd Operations Support Squadron from Lt. Col. Christopher Lay during a ceremony held here June 7, 2014. Previously Wilde, a C-130 master navigator with more than 3,500 flying hours, served as the assistant director of operations for the 731st Airlift Squadron at the 302nd Airlift Wing.
 
"It's very humbling to stand up here and take part in a ceremony that's over 300 years old, and to say the words "I assume command." I'm very honored to be the next commander of the 302nd OSS," said Wilde. 

The 302nd Airlift Wing's Operations Support Squadron is responsible for C-130 Hercules combat effectiveness. They direct flight operations, create war plans, schedule aircrew and aircraft and implement combat tactics. OSS also is responsible for aircrew training, simulator training, deployment planning and execution and aircrew flight equipment functions. They coordinate with the host wing for airfield management, weather support, and air traffic control.

"The most important thing I want you to know, members of the OSS, this is a huge honor for me that I don't take lightly, so I plan to lead you with honesty, respect, good communication and trust. And based on that trust, I plan to follow you as often as I lead you," said Wilde. "There will be plenty of times when you know the best way, not me. I plan for us to be a team that trusts each other to get the job done together, we'll support this wing's mission of putting C-130s in the sky whenever and wherever we're needed."
 
Col. Kurt Jones, commander, 302nd Operations Group and the ceremony's presiding official thanked Wilde for assuming command and said, "I know you are going to do a great job, and we expect great things out of you."

Lay, who assumed command of the 302nd OSS on July 14, 2012, is departing to attend the School of Strategic Land-Power, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Penn.