BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A large group of Reserve Citizen Airmen, active-duty Airmen and civilian personnel gathered to watch Lt. Col. Aaron Hedrick take command of the 93rd Bomb Squadron during a ceremony here, Oct. 18.
Hedrick, who joined the 307th Bomb Wing after a 16-year active-duty career, will command a unit responsible for training and recertifying all B-52 Stratofortress aviators in the U.S. Air Force.
Col. David Anderson, 307th Operations Group commander, alluded to Hedrick’s breadth and depth of experience during his speech to the assembled crowd. He spoke of Hedrick’s career highlights before summing up the potential the new 93rd BS commander brings the unit.
“Lt. Col. Hedrick brings a ton of experience to the 93rd Bomb Squadron and we want to welcome him to the family.”
Hedrick served as a B-52 Stratofortress instructor pilot with the 343rd Bomb Squadron prior to taking command of the 93rd.
He earned his commission after completing the University of Kansas Reserve Officer Training Corp program as a distinguished graduate. The command pilot has held operational and staff assignments at the squadron, wing, and major command level, including serving as the executive officer to the Director of Operations, Air Combat Command.
Hedrick has also served as a U.S. Air Force Weapons School instructor, the Director of Operations for the 96th Bomb Squadron, and Director of Staff for the 2nd BW.
He has more than 3,300 military flight hours and four deployments to the United States Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.
Addressing the unit for the first time, Hedrick emphasized the responsibilities facing them, while expressing faith in their ability to continue their mission.
“We have the daunting responsibility of building the next generation of bomber aviators,” said Hedrick. “As a squadron, you are the single most experienced group of B-52 aviators in the Air Force and do a masterful job of teaching the next generation of bomber warriors.”
In addition to his military experience, Hedrick holds two advanced degrees and has completed 10 military advanced training courses and schools including Marin Corps Command and Staff College, Air War College, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, and Advanced Nuclear Concepts course.
Hedrick replaces Lt. Col. Christopher Chandler, who will serve as the director of operations for the 307th Operations Group.