8th FTS under new leadership

  • Published
  • By SrA Amanda Mills
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The 8th Flying Training Squadron welcomed new leadership during a ceremony at
10 a.m. Tuesday in Hangar 170.
CDR Brian Osborn, 8th FTS operations officer, accepted command of the squadron from Lt Col Greg Lamb.
"Colonel Lamb has done a fantastic job," Commander Osborn said. "Leading a joint squadron is a pretty unique experience, and I'm thankful for the opportunity. I think it's going to be a lot of fun, and it's an honor to follow in Colonel Lamb's footsteps. I also wish him well in his next assignment."
Before departing, Colonel Lamb thanked the 8th FTS for their hard work and dedication.
"Men and women of the 8th... you are an amazing group of professionals," Colonel Lamb said. "I've been honored to be your commander this past year as you performed your mission training the world's best aviators in the tradition of the American warrior."
Colonel Lamb travels to Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., to be the air domain analyst for U.S. NORTHCOM J-8.
Commander Osborn attended Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an ensign in February 1986. He was designated a Naval Aviator in February 1987 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Upon completion of the P-3 training syllabus with Patrol Squadron 31, Commander Osborn joined Patrol Squadron 4 in Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he qualified as patrol plane commander, mission commander and instructor pilot while completing deployments to Cubi Point, Philippines, and Adak, Alaska. In December 1990, he was selected to attend the Naval Postgraduate School where he earned a Master of Science degree in Operations Research. In June 1993 he reported aboard U.S.S. KITTY HAWK, serving as operations admin officer until June 1995.
Deploying to the Western Pacific, Commander Osborn qualified as officer of the deck underway and earned his surface warfare officer designation. He then reported to the Naval Operations Staff in Washington, D.C., as flag aide to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Resources, Warfare Requirements, and Assessments. In July 1996 he transferred to Naples, Italy, as the flag aide to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe. During his tour he deployed to Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina from July to November 1996 serving as aid
See CHANGE, Page 5 to the Commander, Peace Implementation Forces. In November 1997 he reported to Patrol Squadron 45, homeported at NAS Jacksonville, Florida. He deployed to NAS Sigonella, Sicily in support of Operations DELIBERATE FORCE and GUARD and a tri-site deployment to NAS Keflavick, Iceland; Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico; and Howard AFB, Panama, in support of North Atlantic operations and counter-drug operations in the Caribbean.
Commander Osborn returned to the Naval Postgraduate School in September 1999 following selection for the Navy's Doctoral Studies program. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science in September 2002. Upon completion of T-37 flight instructor training in May 2003, he reported to his position as the 8th FTS operations officer.
Commander Osborn's awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, three Naval Commendation Medals, Naval Achievement Medal and additional service medals and awards.