New Ghostrider in the lead

  • Published
  • By Frank McIntyre
  • 71st Flying Training Wing public affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE , Okla. --  Command of the 71st Operations Support Squadron changed hands today during a ceremony in Hangar 199 that saw Lt. Col. Vincent Lostetter assume command from Lt. Col. Ronald Baldinger.

Colonel Lostetter comes to Vance from Dyess AFB, Texas, where he was director of operations for the 7th OSS and a B-1B instructor pilot.

"The 71st OSS continues to set the pace for the Air Force - while in garrison, today's Ghostriders drive the most outstanding flight training wing in the command, preparing United States Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps pilots," Colonel Lostetter said. "We also have warriors deployed in Iraq and around the world fighting America's enemies and we will continue to train and deploy squadron mates.

"At its core, our mission is to guarantee the combat capability for our Nation today and tomorrow - we set the conditions for success," the 1989 U.S. Air Force Academy graduate said. "Together we will meet the challenges of training the best combat pilots, while honing our own skills, and perhaps testing those skills in foreign lands. We will do it safely with the highest degree of professionalism and personal courage. We will strive to transform this wing into the flight training center of excellence in our Air Force."

A native of Pomona, Calif., Colonel Lostetter earned his pilot wings with Class 91-01 at Columbus AFB, Miss., where he remained as a T-38A first assignment instructor pilot and served as a flight scheduler and squadron executive officer. Following his FAIP tour, he flew as a C-130H aircraft commander at Dyess and in 1995 was reassigned to Randolph AFB, Texas as a T-37 IP and flight evaluator for pilot instructor training.

In 1998, Colonel Lostetter was selected to cross-flow to the B-1B at Ellsworth AFB, SD., where he served as flight commander, flight evaluator, and test and evaluation chief of software sustainment. In 2002 he was assigned to Vance and served as T-38A/C assistant operations officer and chief of operations group standardization and evaluation. In 2005, he returned to Dyess for his assignment with the 7th OSS.

In May of 2006, Colonel Lostetter deployed as the director of operations for the 9th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory and Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, assuming command of the 9th EBS in June. He successfully completed more than 220 combat hours in the B-1B and led his squadron in flying more than 4,000 combat hours over Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Colonel Lostetter is a command pilot with more than 4,000 flying hours in the B-1B, C-130, T-37 and T-38 aircraft. His professional military education includes Squadron Officer's School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College. His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with three devices, Air Medal, Aerial Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with two devices, Air Force Achievement Medal, and Combat Readiness Medal with two devices.

Colonel Baldinger was reassigned to Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., where he will attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

"The opportunity to command the OSS has been the highlight of my career. The professionalism and precision with which the Ghostriders execute the mission is unmatched," Colonel Baldinger said. "I have seen consistent, extraordinary leadership at every level, airman, NCO, civilian and officer. The many individual squadron awards and accolades serve as testament to their excellence, but my opportunity to witness and shape personal growth, guide members through difficult challenges and honor those in professional accomplishments has been an experience I will never forget."