Fighter squadron gains new commander for growing mission

  • Published
  • By Capt. Jessica Martin
  • 926th Group public affairs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. --  The U.S. Air Force Reserve's 706th Fighter Squadron, an associate unit to the United States Air Force Warfare Center, held a change of command here Aug. 21. 

Lt. Col. Robert Lindell relinquished command to Lt. Col. Craig Jones during a ceremony at the Threat Training Facility. 

"I'm thankful for the opportunity to be a leader in Air Force Reserve Command's efforts to integrate with the Regular Air Force and Air National Guard to accomplish Nellis' mission," Colonel Jones said. 

As commander, Colonel Jones oversees Air Force Reserve Command members assigned to the USAFWC, supporting missions in its 57th Wing, 53rd Wing and 505th Command and Control Wing. Additionally, he manages pilots flying A-10, F-15C, F-15E, F-16 and F-22 aircraft. 

"Our leaders must be able to not only analyze what actions are required for success; more importantly they must be willing to expend the efforts necessary to achieve that success," Col. Herman Brunke, 926th Group commander, said. "Lieutenant Colonel Craig Jones is that leader."

Colonel Jones earned his ROTC commission and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, in 1987. He went on to earn his pilot wings and was a distinguished graduate in Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, Texas, in 1989.

Colonel Jones has more than 5,500 flying hours with over 3,100 hours in the F-15/16 including 184 hours of combat time. He flew the F-15C at Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands, Spangdahlem Air Force Base, Germany, and Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., and has been an Aggressor pilot at Nellis AFB since 1999. Colonel Jones joined the Reserve in 2003.

Previous to taking command of the 706th FS, he served as Deputy Group Commander of the 57th Adversary Tactics Group at Nellis AFB as a full-time reservist.