JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas – Lt. Col. Anthony Erard assumed command of the 433rd Training Squadron Aug. 7 during a ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, officiated by 340th Flying Training Group Commander Col. Michael J. Vanzo.
Formerly the 433rd TRS director of operations, as commander of the all-Reserve military training instructor squadron, Erard and his team, in cooperation with Air Education and Training Command's active duty basic military training teams, are responsible for Air Force Reserve support of the Total Force Integration mission of developing and maintaining an integrated cadre of highly qualified Reserve military training instructors in support of U.S. Air Force basic military training operations. He leads a cadre of traditional Reserve, Active Guard Reserve, and Air Reserve Technician military training instructors.
Erard earned his commission through Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in 2002, transitioning to the Air Force Reserve in 2012, after 10 years of Regular Air Force service as an F-15E weapon systems officer and electronic warfare officer. The colonel has more than 1,000 flying hours in six airframes, and served as an instructor in two of those airframes, amassing 315 combat hours in the F-15E supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
The 433rd TRS is one of seven squadrons assigned to the 340th FTG, and is the only all-Reserve military training instructor squadron in the Air Force.