Oldest Reserve squadron receives 81st commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Laura Turner
  • 310th Space Wing Public Affairs

During a ceremony at the building known as “the Barn” on Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, members of the 26th Space Aggressor Squadron welcomed a new leader while saying farewell to Lt. Col. Laura Kohake, outgoing 26 SAS commander.

“The Air Force wouldn’t be as good at what we do if the Aggressor’s weren’t in existence,” said Col. Todd Tobergte, 926th Operations Group commander. “They test the space forces inside the Air Force to make our warfighters better.”

The mission of the 26 SAS is to replicate enemy threats to space-based and space-enabled systems during tests and training exercises, according to the squadron’s fact sheet.

“What’s in front of the Aggressors now is the mission transition,” said Tobergte. “We went from electronic attack to orbital engagement. [Lt. Col. Jeremy Nutz] brings the expertise that we need for that. I can’t think of a better man for the job.”

Having been founded in 1914, 26 SAS is the oldest squadron in the United States Air Force Reserve and one of the oldest in the Air Force. While the squadron has a long history of aircraft involvement, it now focuses on recognizing and countering the full spectrum of adversary threats.

“Our mission is so important because we’re preparing the warfighter to go out there and to understand the limitations that space capabilities do have,” said Kohake. “We’re still carrying along that long heritage of the 26th and I just know in the future it’s going to be bigger and better than ever.”

Nutz began his command with a challenge to the Reserve Citizen Airmen serving in the 26 SAS.

“To the men and women of the 26th; my charge to you is to mentor those people that are coming behind you to continue this tradition of the Aggressors,” said Nutz. “To continue this awesome tradition of excellence.”