Reserve reconnaissance squadron continues legacy with new commander

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 78th Reconnaissance Squadron, an associate unit to the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, held a change of command here June 30.

Lt. Col. John relinquished command to Lt. Col. Brent during a ceremony in a flightline hangar.

"I'm extremely proud to become the commander of the 78th Reconnaissance Squadron," Colonel Brent said. "I realize being a commander is a privilege and an honor, and I'm thankful for the opportunity."

As commander, Colonel Brent oversees Remotely Piloted Aircraft pilots, sensor operators and intelligence personnel integrated with Regular Air Force units at the base.

The mission of the 78th RS is to provide combat-ready citizen Airmen charged with training and equipping the Combat Air Forces to conduct Integrated and Expeditionary Combat Operations, as well as providing training in the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper systems.

"I've seen Lieutenant Colonel Brent act on behalf of this people, exhibiting the attributes of a great leader," said Col. Herman Brunke, Jr., 926th Group commander. "He has the passion, expertise and knowledge to be a commander, and I know he'll continue to do great things for the unit."

Colonel Brent earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1988 and is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flight hours.

Colonel Brent joined the Reserve in 2008. Previous to taking command of the 78th RS, he served as Director of Operations for the 78th RS here.

The unit has a rich history, originally activated as the 78th Aero Squadron in 1918 at Waco Field, Texas, responsible for training aircrews in the JN-4, JN-6 and S-4 aircraft. It was demobilized later that year.

The squadron was then re-designated the 78th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) at Wheeler Field, Hawaii, in 1940, training pilots for combat missions in the Pacific Theater.

In 1942 the unit was re-designated the 78th Fighter Squadron providing aerial defense for the USS Midway. The 78th FS moved to Bellows Field, Hawaii, in 1944 flying P-47s and P-51 Mustangs.

In 1945 the unit starting flying combat patrol missions in support of the U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima. During the remaining months of the war it flew fighter sweeps against Japanese airfields and escorted B-29s on long-range strikes.

It was re-designated the 78th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1952 and moved to Royal Air Force Station Shepherds Grove, England, flying F-84 and F-86 aircraft.

The squadron was re-designated a tactical fighter squadron in 1958, flying F-4, F-101 and A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft from Royal Air Force Station Woodbridge, England.

In 1992 the 78th TFS was inactivated and transferred back to the United States. It was then reactivated at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., in 1994, flying F-16 aircraft. It was deactivated at Shaw AFB in 2003, and reactivated as a reconnaissance squadron in June 2006.