WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. -- Once the 442d Operations Support Flight, the United States Air Force activated the 442d Operations Support Squadron within the 442d Operations Group, effective July 10, 2021.
The re-designation ceremony took place Saturday, July 10, 2021 in the 303d Fighter Squadron building at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri.
Lt. Col. Aaron Linderman assumed command of the squadron after being handed the squadron guidon from Col. Michael Leonas, the Commander of the 442 OG.
“The Air Force defines the squadron as the basic unit that is the building block organization in the Air Force, providing a specific operational or support capability,” explained Capt. Benjamin Shaffer, an A-10 pilot assigned to the 358th Fighter Squadron.
The purpose of re-designating the flight to a squadron was to ensure dedicated manpower for effective exercise participation and local flight training. The 442 OSS will continue to support and operate the A-10 Thunderbolt II to empower the wing to accomplish its mission to attack, defend, support, and sustain.