372nd TRS, Field Training Detachment 10: world-class maintenance training

Unit: Field Training Detachment 10, 372d Training Squadron

Location: Holloman AFB, New Mexico

Mission: Provide world-class maintenance training to sustain combat capability and meet the evolving needs of the F-16 and the RPA enterprises.

Vision: Train, educate, and motivate professional Airmen to provide combat ready airpower for tomorrow's global operations.

The 372nd Training Squadron’s Field Training Detachment 10 is located at Holloman AFB, New Mexico.  They support the 49th Wing and 54th Fighter Group with highly trained technical instructors across 12 Air Force Specialty Codes.  This large detachment consists of 37 personnel and is responsible for providing MQ-1 and MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and F-16 advanced skills training as well as the sole F-16 Mission Ready Airman (MRA) program.  The MRA program is a 20 academic day course that awards 3-level certification to more than 450 F-16 pipeline Crew Chiefs per year. There is an average of 50 MRA students residing in the dormitory at any given time that are supervised by two Military Training Leaders.

Detachment Chief, Master Sgt. Brent Brandon said, “Det 10 has expanded significantly over the past 3 years. Recently, the F-16 MRA program moved from Luke AFB, AZ. We’ve grown from a 12-member F-22 and RPA training unit to a 37-member F-16 and RPA training detachment. Not only has the det more than tripled in personnel, but it’s also acquired 16 training devices valued at over $18,000,000 to support the F-16 training mission transfer from Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The det currently provides 45 faculty development, AGE, RPA, and F-16 courses to 70 active duty, Air National Guard, & Air Reserve Component units across seven MAJCOMs worldwide.”

Detachment Commander 1st Lt. Brandon McLendon has recently taken command and said, “During this fiscal year, Det 10 has taught 145 courses, produced 14,000 hours of instruction, and graduated 705 students while transitioning the Air Force’s only F-16 MRA program. In addition to executing our primary duties, the exceptional instructors have made it a point to give back to the base and community. They have tackled self-help projects for seven different base agencies, taken the lead to man the host’s Airman & Family Readiness Center Loan Locker program, established and headed the 49th Wing Course 15 Study Group program, provided meals to the needy at St. John’s Church on the first Tuesday of every month, and topped it off with their most recent volunteer event, the ‘Big Give.’ The det’s 15-member team took second place against 24 other teams, receiving a $2,000 check to donate to the organization they assisted during the event. This base-wide initiative consisted of 412 participants, 4,997 man hours, and saved the local community $202,092.”

For McLendon, this is a great opportunity to lead airmen in a unique assignment and experience few maintenance officers get. “I am excited for the distinctive opportunity to lead a detachment with the support of the Det Chief, Master Sergeant Brent Brandon and the sharp instructors that make the mission happen every day.”