JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-Randolph, Texas – Col. Michael J. Vanzo assumed command of the 340th Flying Training Group from Col. Allen Duckworth during a March 6 ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, officiated by Col. Kurt Matthews, 22nd Air Force vice commander.
Prior to assuming command of the 340th FTG, Vanzo was the Director, A3/A5, 22nd Air Force, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. Twenty-Second Air Force has command supervision of the Reserve’s tactical air mobility operations and other vital mission sets to include distinguished visitor airlift, undergraduate pilot training, flight test operations and a highly mobile civil engineering response force. With more than 15,000 reservists and 105 unit-equipped aircraft, 22nd Air Force contributes daily to the Air Force’s worldwide operational mission. Reserve aircrews within 22nd Air Force fly a variety of missions to include aerial spray, fire suppression, hurricane hunting, troop transport and aeromedical evacuation utilizing the C-130 Hercules.
Vanzo is a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours in the T-1, T6A, T-37, T-38, T-53, E-3, B-737 and MD-80, and more than 40 missions in support of Operations Unified Response, Noble Eagle, Northern Watch and Southern Watch.
Among his various medals and decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Aerial Achievement Medal with one OLC, Air Force Commendation Medal with three OLC, Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with five OLC, Air Force Recognition Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with gold star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Armed Forces Service Medal.
As the Air Force’s largest flying group, the 340th FTG supports Air Education and Training Command pilot training, United States Air Force Academy Airmanship, and AETC basic military training programs with squadrons located at seven different installations across the country. In addition the group oversees training, logistics and administration for all new Air Force Reserve pilots through the AFR undergraduate pilot training program.