JOINT-BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas – Col. Allen Duckworth, 340th Flying Training Group commander, named two new squadron leadership teams slated to assume their duties in December.
Lt. Col. Kristen Kent has been selected to command the 39th Flying Training Squadron here, and her director of operations will be Lt. Col. Thomas Lessner.
Lt. Col. Vincent Danna has been selected to command the 96th FTS at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, and his director of operations will be Lt. Col. William Pope.
Kent is currently the assistant director of operations for the 39th FTS. A command pilot with more than 2,000 hours in the T-38A and C, and the F-15C and D, she has been assigned to Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph since 2003. In addition to a host of accolades, the U.S. Air Force Academy graduate has earned an Air Force Commendation Medal, an Air Medal and five Meritorious Service Medals.
Lessner is currently a T-6 pilot instructor trainer at the 39th FTS. The command pilot has more than 5,000 hours in the T-37, T-6, T-1, UH-1, MH-53, KC-10, and C-5. He has been assigned to JBSA-Randolph since 2015, prior to which we was a T-6 instructor pilot at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. With 100 combat flying hours, the USAFA graduate has earned a host of medals and decorations including the Air Medial, Air Force Combat Action Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor.
Danna is currently the operations officer for the 96th FTS. A command pilot with more than 4,000 hours in the T-37, C-130E, EC-130H and T-1A, the USAF Academy graduate has been assigned to Laughlin nearly a year. His medals and decorations include the Aerial Achievement, Air Force Commendation and Meritorious Service Medals.
Pope is an instructor pilot for the 96th FTS, and serves as the operations director for the 47th Student Squadron at Laughlin AFB. The senior navigator and pilot has more than 2,000 hours in the T-43A, B-52H, T-6A and the T-38C. A graduate of the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, his decorations include Army and Air Force Achievement Medals, two Air Force Commendation Medals and two Meritorious Service Medals.
Change of command ceremonies for both squadrons will be scheduled in December.