4. 8. Gabrielle Spalding), A Japan Self-Defense Forces member, center left, and a 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airman, center right, push a containerized delivery system bundle onto a C-130J Super Hercules during Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 30, 2020. (Current as of July 2019). Kathi Glascock, 100th Air Refueling Wing Command Chief, participated in a panel discussion, answering questions about lessons learned throughout their careers. 9. They have two children, six year old daughter, Elle and three year old son, Declan. February 2008 – June 2010, Instructor Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 7th Special Operations Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom June 2013 – April 2015, Director of Operations, 352d Special Operations Support Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom 13. Group training exercises between the flying, maintenance , and support units of the 353rd Special Operations Group ensure the multifunctional abilities of Pacific Air Commandos. 2003 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Commander, 353rd Special Operations Group 1 Article (U), Brig Gen Kenneth Wilsbach, 18 WG/PCC, “Sayonara to Team Kadena,” AF News Print, 26 May 2011. Col Thomas is married to the former Courtney Hutt from Carthage, New York. Reestablished, and consolidated (31 Jul 1985) with the 553 Reconnaissance Wing, which was established, and, Vote for the SOG in the @airmanmagazine ”Airman Top Shot” of the week contest! (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Lineage. By Capt. Colonel – October 2018 353d Maintenance Squadron 6. 16. He acted as the personal advisor to the 3-star commander on the mission execution of the command’s 5 special operations wings, 89 squadrons and over 19,000 personnel. Jessica Tait, 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs, 353rd Special Operations Group / Published November 14, 2016. July 2005 – February 2007, AETC Intern, Chief of Command Mobility Training Resources, AETC HQ, Randolph AFB, Texas Over 20,000 personnel work at the base. 7. Col Thomas hails from Shelby Township, Michigan. Over his 22 years of service, Col Thomas has served in a variety of operational and staff assignments at various levels. The unit was assigned to Fifth Air Force in the Philippines in 1944 for operations with North American P-51 Mustangs, Douglas C-47 Skytrains, and Stinson L-5 … Previously he was the Executive Officer to the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command. Aerial Achievement Medal FLIGHT INFORMATION Gabrielle Spalding), U.S. Military, Japan Self-Defense Force leadership and other service members discuss mission operations on a C-17 Globemaster III, assigned to the 535th Airlift Squadron out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, during Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Oct. 31, 2020. William Freeman relinquished command of the 353rd SOG to Col. Jason Kirby, formerly, KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Key players for the 353rd Special Operations Group change of command ceremony look over the script before the event here June 8. 6. Units from the 374th Airlift Wing, and from the 353rd Special Operations Group accomplished a variety of missions alongside their JSDF and joint partners across the Kanto Plains, allowing the enhancement of bilateral operations between the U.S. and Japan. Download this stock image: U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, commander of 353rd Special Operations Group utilizes the Air Force Special Operations Command Air Rapid Response Kit (ARRK) command and control (C-2) node to conduct a video teleconference with Special Operations Command Pacific leadership Nov. 2, 2017, at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea. During an Airmen all-call Nov. 7, Webb described readiness, relevance and resiliency as the “three Rs” of the AFSOC priorities and expressed the success of the 353rd SOG in all three areas. Members with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) watch as their teammates are hoisted into a CV-22 Osprey, during a fast rope and hoist training as part of exercise Keen Sword 21, at the Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2020. Second Lieutenant – May 1997 As Commander of the 353 SOG, Col Thomas is the Commander of Air Force Special Operations Forces for both Special Operations Command Pacific and Korea. Inactivated on 25 Mar 1946. Col Michael A. Thomas is currently the Commander, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan. 2 Article (U), Col Robert Toth, 353 SOG/CC, “Operation Pathfinder,” Air Commando Journal, Fall 2011. Jul 2018 – Jul 2019, Student, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy January 2012 – June 2013, Chief of Safety, 352d Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. Under operational control of the commander, Special Operations Command Pacific, the 353 SOG plans and executes general war and contingency operations using advanced aircraft, tactics and techniques to infiltrate, exfiltrate, resupply and support special operations forces. Defense Meritorious Service Medal The group's first predecessor was activated in 1944 as the 3d Air Commando Group. "This year we focused on further developing our partnership capacity and interoperability with 40th SQDN through low-level formation work and tactical operations on night vision goggles (NVGs)," said Maj. Mark Schmidt, mission commander for Exercise Teak Net. 5. Jul 2019 – Present, Commander, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena AB, Japan PHOTO DETAILS / DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 6. 2. Flight hours: 2,800 As Commander of the 353 SOG, Col Thomas is the Commander of Air Force Special Operations Forces for both Special Operations Command Pacific and Korea. 3. AFSOC IG conducts first no-notice inspection 'A Tribute to Persistence': SecAF presents Air Force Cross to Special Tactics Airman; Duke Field fuel cell hangar fire suppression test marks final steps towards renovation completion 320th Special Tactics Squadron 4. June 1997 – January 1998, Student Navigator, 325th Flying TrainingWing, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla. 353d Operations Support Squadron 5. After the typhoon moved past the island, a Special Tactics Team from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron was tasked to conduct the initial assessment of … “We played a critical role with the Thai special operations regiment,” said Maj. Matthew Prochazka, 353rd SOG mission commander for exercise Cobra Gold. To commemorate this day RAF Mildenhall hosted Col. Carol Miller, 100th Mission Support Group Commander, Col. Michelle Estes, 352nd Special Operations Maintenance Group Commander, and Chief Master Sgt. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. 12. April 2015 – May 2017, Commander, 1st Special Operations Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. The U.S. Air Force Special Operations School’s Mission Commander’s Course prepares prospective mission commanders and senior enlisted leaders for their duties and responsibilities in either a deployed or off … June 2010 – January 2012, Student, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, Calif. Activated on 1 May 1944. The cover image depicts special operations forces from U.S. Army Special Operations Command, U.S. Navy Special Operations Command, U.S. Gabrielle Spalding), U.S., Japan Sharpen Skills During Keen Sword 21, Keen Sword 21 Enhances U.S.-Japan Alliance, Department of the Air Force pushes fitness testing to Jan. 1, AFSOC IG conducts first no-notice inspection, 'A Tribute to Persistence': SecAF presents Air Force Cross to Special Tactics Airman, Duke Field fuel cell hangar fire suppression test marks final steps towards renovation completion, AFSOC leadership remember fallen Airmen with Honor Trees, Special Tactics Airman to be awarded the Air Force Cross, JB Charleston delivers aid to Belize during holidays, Eielson AFB exercises rapid combat readiness, demonstrates arctic ability, Air Force Trials 2021: A Virtual Experience, Keesler AFB medics bring COVID-19 relief to Gulf Coast veterans, Acting defense secretary visits RAF Mildenhall, Department of the Air Force releases findings on racial disparity review. The 353rd Special Operations Group is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Air Force Special Operations Command commander along with the AFSOC command chief visited here Sept. 6 to get a closer look at the special operations mission in the Pacific. Detachment 1, 43rd Intelligence Squadron 353rd welcomes new commander. November 1998 – May 1999, Student Navigator, C-141 Initial Mission Qualification, Altus AFB, Okla. A new commander for the Air Commandos of the Pacific accepted the responsibility to lead the 353rd Special Operations Group into the future June 8. He commands 950 special operations personnel across seven squadrons at Kadena and Yokota Air Bases, supporting special operations throughout U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's area of responsibility by providing combat-ready Special Tactics Teams, MC-130H Combat Talon II, MC-130J Commando II, and CV-22 Osprey aircraft. A CV-22 # Osprey prepares to take off at Combined Arms Training Center, Camp Fuji, Japan, following combat search and rescue training during exercise Keen Sword, Oct. 29, 2020. Aircraft flown: C-141B, T-43, C-130E, MC-130H 10. Col. Jason Kirby relinquished command of the 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) to Col. Michael Thomas during a change of command ceremony on 3 July, 2019. During their visit, Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel and Chief Master Sgt. Col Michael A. Thomas is currently the Commander, 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan. Col. David Mullins accepted command from Col. Ray Chapman during a change of command ceremony with Maj. Gen., Gabrielle Spalding), Members of the 320th Special Tactics Squadron and Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) descend from a CV-22 Osprey during a fast rope and hoist training as part of exercise Keen Sword 21, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, Nov. 3, 2020. Established as 3 Air Commando Group on 25 Apr 1944. U.S. Air Force Col. Jason Kirby, commander of 353rd Special Operations Group (SOG) briefs U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Daniel Yoo, commander of Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) during a visit Nov. 8, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. August 2002 – July 2005, Instructor Navigator, Assistant Director of Operations, 562d Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas Air Force Commendation Medal w 3 OLC After a 25-year absence, the 353rd SOG returned to New Zealand in 2014 to build-up the relationship with RNZAF 40th Squadron. 2012 AirWar College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence Keen Sword is a training opportunity between JSDF and the U.S. military across a variety of scenarios, allowing the enhancement of interoperability of U.S. and Japanese forces. He commands 950 special operations personnel across seven squadrons at Kadena and Yokota Air Bases, January 1998 – November 1998, Student Navigator, 562d Flying Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas February 2007 – June 2007, Student Navigator, C-130 Initial Qualification, 714th Training Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark. Prior to this assignment, Col Thomas was a student at the Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy where he focused his industry study on space and counter space. ASSIGNMENTS Located in the Okinawa Prefecture of Japan is Kadena AB, home of the largest combat wing in the USAF, the 18th Wing . Air Force Achievement Medal w 1 OLC Disestablished on 8 Oct 1948. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Staff Sgt. 11. A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron conducts tactical air-to-air refueling with an MC-130J Commando II from the 1 SOS during search and rescue training off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 19, 2020. 17th Special Operations Squadron(MC-130P Combat Shadow) 3. Navy Achievement Medal Units from the 374th Airlift Wing and from the 353rd Special Operations Group accomplished a variety of missions alongside their Japan Self-Defense Force and joint partners across the Kanto Plains, allowing the enhancement of bilateral operations between the U.S. and Japan. Download this stock image: 353rd Special Operations Group commander Col. William Freeman delivers his outbound speech during a change of command ceremony July 19, 2017, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Col Thomas has supported multiple operations throughout his career such as JOINT GUARDIAN, NORTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, IRAQI FREEDOM and INHERENT RESOLVE. 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