Lackland gets two new squadrons

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Collen McGee
  • 433rd Airlift Wing
LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Two new squadrons were added to the 26 existing units of the Alamo Wing today in a ceremony marking the occasion. The 356th Airlift Squadron and the 733rd Training Squadron are part of the C-5 Formal Training Unit, Kelly Field, Lackland AFB, TX.
The 356th AS, previously assigned to Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, was responsible for training aircrew members on the C-141 weapon system. The 733rd TRS is a new designation activated at Kelly Field to provide administrative oversight to the students at the C-5 FTU.
Both units gain traditions from the former C-5 FTU at Altus AFB, Okla., where C-5 aircrew training began in the 1970's. The process bringing the new squadrons to the Alamo Wing was a long one. Initially the concept was briefed to congress in 2002, according to Lt. Col. John Martino, 733rd TRS Commander.
"It (bringing the new squadrons and the C-5 FTU to Kelly Field) was challenging and fun," said Col. Fred McMahon, 356th AS Commander. Colonel McMahon's squadron is responsible for all the C-5 initial qualification, instructor, and aerial refueling courses for loadmasters, flight engineers, & pilots..
"The initial Cadre is an awesome group of people," said Colonel McMahon. He explained the instructors and evaluators come from all across the Air Force.
"Altus built a proud tradition," said Colonel Martino. "Here we are, the Reserve, with help from the active-duty (to take on the C-5 aircrew training mission). Quite a team."
Colonel Martino spent some time working the Air Force Integration office and knows first hand that the mission will require more than just one unit doing a great job to be successful.
"There were a lot of relationships built along the way," said Colonel Martino. He listed cooperative efforts from Air Mobility Command, Air Force Reserve Command and the 37th Training Wing, the host unit at Lackland.
The C-5 FTU is the first unit of its kind to be owned and operated by AFRC. Though there are other flight training units in the command, the facility at Kelly Field is the first to combine active-duty and Reserve instructors and evaluators to train aircrew in all three components of the Air Force, Reserve, Guard and active-duty.
Col. Del Lewis, 433rd Operations Group Commander, also cited the spirit of cooperation needed to continue the successful training of Air Force C-5 aircrews.
"If you are going to form a good team, you want the best," said Colonel Lewis. "We have the talent and wherewithal to pull this off but it will take people." Colonel Lewis added that it would take the people of the Alamo Wing, the host base and the community to keep the mission successful and he challenged those in attendance to carry the standard higher.
"What we want here is a true 'Galaxy' University," said Colonel Lewis.