BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- After two years as the 307th Operations Support Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. Joanna Mitchell relinquished the role to Lt. Col. Charles McCoy during a change of command ceremony here Dec. 6.
Lt. Col. McCoy has served in various capacities throughout his 23 years in the Air Force. He started his career as an enlisted KC-135 Inflight Refueling Specialist. In 1998, he received his commission and eventually transitioned to an Active Guard Reserve position with the 307th OSS.
“My job is you, the men and women of the OSS,” McCoy said during his first address to the unit. “I believe if I take care of you -organize, train, and equip you – you will take care of the mission.”
The 307th OSS enhances the warfighting capability and B-52 Formal Training Unit mission of the Operations Group by providing expertise in weapons and tactics training, mission planning, and international engagement planning. The 307th OSS also provides training on, and maintaining of, life-sustaining aircrew flight equipment and timely, accurate and relevant Intelligence products.
Lt. Col. Mitchell is scheduled to serve as combat aviation advisor. She took the opportunity during the ceremony to address the 307th OSS one last time.
“To the men and women of the 307th OSS, we could have not succeeded without you,” she told the assembly. “We have been forged by fire.”
Lt. Col. Mitchell is slated to transfer to the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Florida.