JOINT-BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas – Lt. Col. Marcus D. Hutson assumed command of the 5th Flying Training Squadron, Vance Air Force Base, Enid, Oklahoma during a June 8 ceremony officiated by Col. Michael J. Vanzo, 340th Flying Training Group commander.
Prior to assuming command, Hutson was the squadron director of operations. The new squadron operations director, Lt. Col. Ian Bass, is a former U.S. Navy aviator who transferred to the Air Force Reserve - and the 5th FTS - in 2010.
As the 5th FTS commander, Hutson is responsible for the execution of the Air Education and Training Command / Air Force Reserve Command Associate Instructor Program at Vance, supporting 71st Flying Training Wing operations, conducting nearly 9,000 sorties annually.
Hutson was commissioned in 2003 through the Air Force Officer Training School, having graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology. He also earned a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree and completed Air Command and Staff College in 2013.
He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-16C, T-37, T-38.
Among his many career leadership roles, Hutson served as an air liaison officer supporting the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, accumulating more than 30 static line jumps and two deployments in support of Army operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Hutson has earned various medals and honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Army Commendation Medal and the numbered Air Force company grade officer of the year in 2010.
The outgoing 5th FTS commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Johnson, will continue flying for the squadron, while focusing on spending more time with his family, and on his civilian role as a commercial airline pilot.
The 5th FTS is one of seven training squadrons under the 340th FTG (six of those charged with flying training).