MOA signed between 58 SOW & 150 SOW
Kirtland AFB

The 150th Special Operations Wing and the 58th Special Operations Wing signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) indicating how the two units will work more closely together. MG Kenneth Nava, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, oversaw the signing of this significant document. The MOA will solidify the partnership that the two organizations have built over the past eight years. This is how Total Force Integration works!

Cool School trains in the Arctic
Eielson AFB, AK

Detachment 1, 66th Training Squadron based at Eielson AFB in Alaska operates the “Cool School”. The detachment prepares SERE Specialists to teach Arctic survival and helps Airmen understand survival in the harsh elements of the frigid north. SERE specialists train near Utqiaġvik (Barrow) in the Arctic Circle while non-SERE Airmen train in the vicinity of Eielson AFB. This year they trained 391 students at Eielson and another 41 SERE Specialists at Utqiaġvik. Maj Gen Wills and CMSgt Rogers from 19th Air Force were notable students.

NM Congressional Delegation Visit
Kirtland AFB

The 58th SOW hosted members of the local staff from the New Mexico Congressional Delegation. Mr Jarvis (Sen Heinrich), Mr Cooley
(Sen Lujan), and Ms Condon (Rep Herrell) met some of the wings’ incredible Total Force Airmen and the aircraft they love to talk about.
The wing appreciates the continued support of New Mexico’s elected officials and their staff members.

58 SOW and University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management Meet
Kirtland AFB

Col Curry met with Dr Mitzi Montoya, Dean of the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico. The two discussed ways that the SOW and the Anderson School of Management could collaborate and begin a partnership between their world class educators and the Airmen of the SOW. Ms Monica Jojola, the AETC Civic Leader facilitated the meeting.

HH-60W Took to New Mexico’s Sky for Its Maiden Flight
Kirtland AFB

The newest member of the 58th SOW flew its maiden training flight on 6 January 2021. The flight ensured wing personnel maintain currency in operating the HH-60W. This flight helped build proficiency for both the aircrew and maintenance personnel as well as an early verification of the entire scheduling through debriefing process for the new helicopter. The crew consisted of Maj Ferrante, Mr Breun, MSgt T. Johnson, MSgt McNabb, Mr Holloway, and Mr Vaughn.

SOW Welcomes New Enhanced Fuselage Trainer
Kirtland AFB

SOW leadership participated in a ceremonial ribbon cutting on 15 January officially welcoming the Enhanced Fuselage Trainer. The new, one-of-a-kind, ground-based device, abbreviated “EFuT,” provides highly realistic simulation capabilities that will enable training for approximately 200 MC-130J and HC-130J loadmasters and special mission aviators annually. The EFuT is dedicated to quality training of Air Force career enlisted aviators. The project took five years at a cost of $19 million dollars. Creating substantial savings for the wing, the EFuT allows us to train without the use of an aircraft we could be flying.

SOW Celebrates Four Chaplains Day

The 58th SOW celebrated Four Chaplains Day on 3 February. The day is dedicated to the memory of US Army chaplains, Lt George Fox, a Methodist minister; Lt Alexander Goode, a Jewish Rabbi; Lt John Washington, a Roman Catholic Priest; and Lt Clark Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister who gave their lives as their final act during the sinking of the SS Dorchester on 3 February 1943. The Four Chaplains were instrumental in the survival of 230 out of 932 on the ship.

Largest SERE Specialist Training Orientation Course Graduation
Lackland AFB

Students in the SERE Specialist Training Orientation Course (SST-OC) 22-01C graduated on 05 March. This was the largest cohort to graduate in eight years. Of 40 SERE Specialist candidates, 25 completed the course and moved on to the SERE Specialist Training Course held at Fairchild, AFB. This year’s Orientation Courses focused on coaching and mentoring candidates which are part of the newly instilled changes occurring to the SERE Training Pipeline.

Airmen in Action

Mr Destry Hill from the 23rd Flying Training Squadron at Fort Rucker, Alabama named AETC’s Civilian Flight Instructor of the Year

TSgt Matthew Tidball from the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland AFB named the 19th Air Force Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year

The 71st Special Operations Squadron at Kirtland AFB selected as this year’s AETC SOF/Mobility Squadron of the Year