Command of 33rd FTS changes hands

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Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The 33rd Flying Training Squadron welcomed new leadership during a ceremony at
11 a.m. Thursday in Hangar 170.
Lt Col Timothy Miller accepted command of the squadron from CDR John Wood.
Colonel Miller comes to Team Vance from Kadena Air Base, Japan, as Commander Wood departs for Bahrain.
"Training the world's best pilots; what an awesome responsibility," Colonel Miller said. "We are a nation at war and many of the pilots we train will soon be on the front lines fighting the war on terrorism. It is imperative that we give them the foundation they need and install the discipline necessary to be successful. I am looking forward to serving as the 33rd FTS commander."
"It has been an honor and privilege to command the Dragons," Commander Wood said. "Our mission was to safely produce the world's best aviators by seamlessly integrating the individual strengths of the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps into a superlative joint squadron -- and have fun doing it. We have surpassed all my expectations. I will miss Team Vance."
Colonel Miller was commissioned after Officer's Training School in 1986. He attended pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Phoenix, Ariz. Following pilot training, he was selected to fly the F-15C Eagle at Bitburg Air Base, Germany.
While stationed at Bitburg AB, he deployed to Saudi Arabia and flew in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM, flying 34 combat missions over Iraq and Kuwait accumulating 190 hours of combat time. After the Gulf War, he was selected to teach at Vance AFB as a T-38 instructor.
In 1994 he returned to the F-15C at Eglin AFB, Fla. While there he returned twice to Saudi Arabia to fly combat operations over Iraq accumulating more than 400 hours of combat time.
Colonel Miller then served in a staff tour for Air Combat Command at Langley AFB, Va. Following his tour there, he was selected to attend Air Command and Staff College as a Georgetown Fellow in Washington, D.C. He then returned to the F-15C at Kadena AB, Japan.
During his career, Colonel Miller has accumulated more than 3,000 flying hours. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters various other awards.
(71st FTW Public Affairs)