Haas takes command of Ops Group

  • Published
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Robert Haas assumed command of the 71st Operations Group during a ceremony held July 12 in Hangar 199.

Relinquishing command was Col. Paul Johnson, who was presented the Legion of Merit by Col. Darrell Judy, the 71st Flying Training Wing commander and presiding official for the ceremony.

Haas comes to Vance from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, where he served as the 12th Air Force Standardization and Evaluation director.

He is a senior pilot with more than 2,000 hours in F-117A and F-16 aircraft.

Johnson, a command pilot with more than 3,300 hours in F-15C and B-1B aircraft, retired from active duty July 13.

The 71st OG is responsible for all flying activities for the 71st FTW, conducting Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training for more than 400 U.S. Air Force and Allied student pilots annually.

The group operates more than 200 aircraft, flies more than 55,000 sorties annually, and logs more than 80,000 flying hours each year.