New Kirtland squadron to improve training of battlefield Airmen

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  The 351st Battlefield Airman Training Squadron was activated at a June 14 ceremony, and the Air Force said goodbye to Detachment 1 of the 342nd Training Squadron, which was deactivated.

The new squadron houses the USAF Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School, and is responsible for training, mentoring and developing battlefield Airmen in land warfare and technical recovery skills. It is one of four new squadrons that will report directly to the Battlefield Airmen Training Group, which activated June 2 and is solely dedicated to training the Air Force's tactical ground component in technical rescue.

Maj. Joseph Lopez, who assumed command of the new squadron, said he was excited for the opportunity to lead the unit and continue the progress made by his predecessors.

"This is no easy feat transitioning from a detachment to a squadron, but we will continue that strong tradition of developing young operators and take this unit to the next level," Lopez said. "The men and women of this unit are rock solid warriors, dedicated to shaping battlefield Airmen as rescue specialists and competent tactical leaders."

Col. Ronald Stenger, new commander of the BATG, presided over the ceremony. He said battlefield Airmen are the critical ground link between air assets and ground forces, and the activation of this squadron will significantly enhance student training.

"This is a big deal," he said. "What we're doing today is significant and it's important.  It's the start of a new legacy."

One goal in creating the squadron is to reduce costs and increase efficiencies in producing highly qualified battlefield Airmen.

Senior Master Sgt. Joshua Smith, operations superintendent, said the unit will gain 35 new support personnel - including numerous human performance specialists - to help better accomplish the mission. There are currently only three support personnel on the unit's books.

"Our instructors had to pick up many additional duties," Smith said. "Having more support personnel doing those duties frees up the instructors and allows them to focus on their primary goal of producing warriors."

Capt. Brian Carey, former commander of the 342nd TRS Det. 1, will serve as the 351st BATS director of operations.