Command of 32nd FTS Jayhawks changes hands

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  • By Public Affairs
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Command of the 32nd Flying Training Squadron changed hands during a change of command ceremony Aug. 26 in Hangar 170.
Lt. Col. John Hokaj, who was serving as the 32nd FTS operations officer, accepted command of the squadron from Lt. Col. Roger Johnson.
Colonel Johnson transitions to the 71st Flying Training Wing for eight months until he retires.
Colonel Hokaj's thanks included commanders, friends, family and Team Vance, as well as members of the squadron.
"Colonel (Kevin) Kriner, thank you for trusting me with the helm of the 32nd FTS," he said. "I am committed to upholding the squadron's legacy of excellence in training and developing these American heroes into tomorrow's expeditionary leaders. Roger, what a fantastic boss! You led us to victory in the inspection and gave me just enough leash to learn and grow. Thanks for your mentorship.
"Jayhawks, you are an outstanding squadron. Thank you for your dedication to the Air Force Core Values of integrity, excellence and service as well as the Navy core values of honor, courage and committment. Our mission of developing expeditionary leaders requires us to remember our past, while keeping our focus on the future. Within a few months of leaving Vance, many of our graduates will be tested in combat. The lessons they learn here are the foundation of how they will respond when called to action. As Gen. (Douglas) MacArthur (famed U.S. military leader) so eloquently stated, 'In no other profession are the realities for employing untrained personnel so appalling or irrevocable as in the military.' Train well, the nation is counting on you!"
Colonel Hokaj graduated from Vanderbilt University in 1987 and received his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He earned his pilot wings here as a member of Class 89-07.
After completing F-16 training in 1990, Colonel Hokaj was assigned to the 613th Fighter Squadron at Torrejon Air Base, Spain. In 1992, he was reassigned to the 80th FS Kunsan AB, Korea, where he served as an F-16 instructor pilot and wing plans officer. After completing his remote tour, Colonel Hokaj was assigned to the 310th FS, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., as an F-16 replacement training unit IP. He specialized as a low-altitude navigation terrain-following infrared for night IP and flight evaluator.
In 1995, Colonel Hokaj was selected for the personnel exchange program and served as a Harrier IP with the 3 (F) Squadron at Royal Air Force Wittering, UK and RAF Laarbruch, Germany. He flew numerous combat missions over Bosnia and held several positions, the last being the 3 (F) Squadron assistant operations officer. He returned to the F-16 at Luke AFB in 1998 and served as the 56th Operations Group chief of programming.
In 2001, Colonel Hokaj qualified as an aircraft commander in the C-17. He commanded the combat operations and tactics flight for the 437th Airlift Wing at Charleston AFB, S.C. He served as a C-17 night vision goggles IP and flew combat missions in support of Operations ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM.
Colonel Hokaj is a command pilot with more than 3,300 hours in the F-16, Harrier, Hawk, C-17 and T-1. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two devices, the Air Medal with two devices, the Aerial Achievement Medal and various unit and campaign awards.
Colonel Johnson also extended his thanks and highlighted the squadron's accomplishments that culminated in the Operational Readiness Inspection.
"To the 32nd FTS, it's been an honor and a privilege working with you and leading you. Thank you for your hard work and dedication."