Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Air Force basic military training trainees listen closely to Military Training Instructor Master Sgt. Michael Hernandez, Reserve Citizen Airman with the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Attention to detail, discipline and teamwork learned at this stage enabled trainees to succeed and graduate during ceremonies held here Dec. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sy Pinthong)433rd TRS graduates four Reserve MTI-led flights, honors exceptional Citizen Airmen
                        
                        
                        Air Force basic military training trainees listen closely to Military Training Instructor Master Sgt. Michael Hernandez, Reserve Citizen Airman with the 433rd Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Attention to detail, discipline and teamwork learned at this stage enabled trainees to succeed and graduate during ceremonies held here Dec. 14. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sy Pinthong)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

From start to finish: Air Force Reserve MTI's lead BMT total force flightsPublished Dec. 21, 2018
                    
                    By Janis El Shabazz
                    
                    
                    340th Flying Training Group
            **JOINT-BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas (AFNS) --**Ten Air Force Reserve 433rd Training Squadron military training instructors guided four total force basic military training flights through eight and a half weeks of training and education in preparation for their Dec. 14 BMT graduation at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. It was the first time in the squadron’s 35-year history that it assumed full responsibility for BMT flights.
The 433rd TRS, assigned to the 340th Flying Training Group at JBSA-Randolph, initiated a full capability demonstration in October assuming full responsibility to train, educate and prepare four BMT flights, rather than embedding Reserve Airmen military training instructors into the Air Force BMT mission.
"For the first time in 433rd TRS history we graduated four total force trainee flights as a production squadron under our own banner as a total force partner,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Victoria, 433rd TRS commander.
Col. Jason Corrothers, 737th Training Group commander, lauded the 433rd TRS for setting the bar over the past 8-plus weeks.
“We’re certainly not surprised, since we all know what you’re capable of, but I’m very excited about what (the 433rd TRS has) been able to demonstrate here,” he said.
From the strategic perspective, the 433rd (TRS) has demonstrated its ability to shoulder a significant share of the BMT mission, if necessary. BMT trainees assigned to 433rd (TRS) training flights confirmed their instructors’ abilities, earning individual and team recognition.
Victoria had full faith in his MTIs and trainees.
“In keeping with tradition we named the flights in honor of four exceptional Reserve Citizen Airmen, and welcomed their families to join us for a dedication ceremony Thursday.”
Three of the Airmen honored during Thursday’s ceremony were recognized posthumously, and the fourth - Chief Master Sgt. Ericka Kelly, Air Force Reserve Command command chief master sergeant, and senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Air Force Reserve, was honored for her commitment, determination, dedication and resilience.
The fallen Airmen who were honored during the ceremony include Master Sgt. William Posch and Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, who lost their lives during Operation Inherent Resolve in March, and Tech. Sgt. Anthony Campbell, who lost his life during Operation Enduring Freedom in December 2009. Kelly, her guests and members of the fallen Airmen’s families and organizations were on hand to witness the ceremony.
The chief, who spoke with her namesake flight prior to graduation, expressed her pride in their achievements, and her humble surprise at being honored. Encouraging each member of the all-female flight to strive not just for success, but to live a life of significance.
“Significance means you have changed people’s lives, and that is so much bigger; success becomes secondary at that point,” she said.
Flight members, and their brother flights, demonstrated that they are well on their way toward achieving success and significance.
The Chief Kelly flight earned the commander’s excellence award (overall honor flight) and the top female fitness award. One brother flight earned the BEAST (Basic Expeditionary Airman Skills Training) excellence award, and another took second for male fitness excellence. Six of the top fitness performances were 433rd TRS trainees, and 21 earned the distinction of honor graduate.
It was a full week for squadron members and trainees, who also welcomed an unexpected guest.
“We had the distinct honor of hosting the last surviving Doolittle Raider, Lt. Col. Dick Cole, following the Airman’s coin presentation, allowing us to honor the spirit of the Raiders’ historic endeavor, which changed the course of the Pacific campaign during World War II,” Victoria said.
The 433rd TRS adopted the motto “Raiders - You Need, We Lead!” in honor of heroism exhibited by Cole and his fellow Raiders. The chance to honor Cole and glean advice was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Victoria’s team and their trainees.
“This event demonstrated our mobilization capability, illustrating our role in maintaining a high state of readiness,” Victoria said. “I’d like to see more events like this in the future to reinforce our unit culture, and to illustrate and hone our ability to provide unrivaled support to our active duty mission partners.”
A prime example of total force integration, 433rd MTIs operate side by side, cohesively and seamlessly, with their 37th Training Wing active-duty mission partners. The 433rd TRS, the only Reserve military training instructor unit in the Air Force, plays a significant role in preparing approximately 41,000 enlisted trainees each year for military service.
“This is truly a momentous day for BMT and the 433rd TRS,” said Col. Allen Duckworth, 340th FTG commander. “Reserve MTIs have been part of the BMT enterprise, training new Airmen since 1983. To culminate this successful capability demonstration by graduating heritage flights named after Reserve Citizen Airmen is an amazing tribute to our heritage.”: AETC 



training 



BMT 



MTI 



Reserve 



total force 



JB San Antonio-Randolph 



433rd Training Squadron 



AF 



Air Force 



basic military training 



Total Force Integration Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil