VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Anthony Straw, 340th Flying Training Group commander, presided over a ceremony where Lt. Col. Christina Hopper relinquished command of the 5th Flying Training Squadron to Lt. Col. Dustin Ash on May 22, 2025, at Vance Air Force Base, Okla.
As a command pilot with 894 combat flight hours and more 5,000 flight hours in the C-5B/M, E-11A, and T-6A, Ash is now responsible for the execution of the Air Education and Training Command / Air Force Reserve Command Associate Instructor Program at Vance AFB, supporting 71st Flying Training Wing operations, conducting nearly 9,000 sorties annually.
Ash is the 63rd commander of the 5th FTS. The 5th FTS is one of eight training squadrons under the 340th FTG; six of those charged with flying training.