25th FTS Shooters welcome new commander Published Nov. 29, 2006 By Public Affairs Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Command of the 25th Flying Training Squadron changed hands in a ceremony Thursday in Hangar 170. Lt. Col. Nathan Hill assumed command of the squadron from Lt. Col. Leonard Litton. "Colonel Litton has done an outstanding job leading the Shooters for the past year and a half," Colonel Hill said. "I couldn't be stepping into a more ideal situation." Under Colonel Litton, one of the Shooters' great strengths has been teamwork, Colonel Hill said. Everyone has done their job well "whether it's flying or intramural sports," and he looks forward to continuing the squadron's success. Colonel Litton now travels to Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., for Air War College. "It has been a tremendous privilege and honor to command the 25th Flying Training Squadron," Colonel Litton said. "It has been the highlight of my 20-year career. Stephanie and I have made so many great friends, both on base and in the community. We wish everyone the best and God speed." Colonel Hill was previously the 25th FTS operations officer. He entered the Air Force in 1989 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Colonel Hill graduated from pilot training at Reese AFB, Texas, in 1990 and F-16 training at Luke AFB, Ariz., in 1991. He was then assigned to the 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Moody AFB, Ga., where was a life support officer at the squadron and the group. He later returned to Luke AFB where he was assigned to the 308th Flying Training Squadron serving in weapons, scheduling and standardization and evaluation. In 1997, Colonel Hill was assigned to Vance AFB where he flew T-37s in both the 8th and the 33rd Flying Training Squadrons. He helped stand up the 33rd FTS and was the first flight commander for "Python" flight. While assigned to Vance he received has master's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Colonel Hill left Vance AFB and attended Army Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, Kan. He returned to the F-16 at Osan Air Base, Korea, in 2000, as assistant director of operations in the 36th Fighter Squadron and the 51st Operations Support Squadron operations flight commander. His next assignment was to Shaw AFB, S.C., where he was the 78th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations and the 20th Fighter Wing chief of wing inspections. While there he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and logged 69 combat hours. (71st FTW Public Affairs)