JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas-- Col. Kyle Goldstein assumed command of the 340th Flying Training Group from Col. Michael Vanzo during a change of command ceremony March 31 at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, officiated by Maj. Gen. Bret C. Larson, 22nd Air Force commander.
Prior to Larzo relinquishing command, Larson presented the U.S. Department of Defense’s Legion of Merit to him as he retires from the U.S. Air Force after 34 years of service.
After the assumption, Goldstein addressed those in attendance highlighting the work and impact the 340th has in the Air Force.
“What we do here at the 340th matters. It matters to the Air Force in terms of readiness … giving them the best pilots, best enlisted members, best civilians, and best enlisted aviators [which] directly contributes to [our] national security,” Goldstein said. “I’m ready to get to work for the men and women of the 340th.”
Prior to this assignment, Goldstein was the deputy A3/A5 director, 22nd Air Force, Air Force Reserve Command, Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in the F-15C, T-38A/C, B-737, and T-37 with over 60 of those in combat missions during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
As the Air Force’s largest flying group, the 340th FTG supports Air Education and Training Command's Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, Joint Primary Pilot Training, Pilot Instructor Training, Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training, Basic Military Training and the United States Air Force Academy's Airmanship Programs; with squadrons located at seven different installations across the country.