Four RPV squadrons stand up under 49th FW

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sondra Escutia
  • 49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Three remotely piloted vehicle squadrons officially stood up under the 49th Fighter Wing during an assumption of command ceremony here Oct. 23.

Lt. Col. James Merchant, Lt. Col. Ryan Sherwood, Lt. Col. Peter Marsch and Maj. Chris Reichardt assumed command of the 29th Attack Squadron, 6th Reconnaissance Squadron, 16th Training Squadron and 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (Provisional) respectively.

Members of the four squadrons, originally assigned to the 432nd Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., have been at Holloman for months as members of detachments, but will now be permanent members.

The 29th ATKS, 6th RS and 16th TRS -- all training squadrons -- now fall under the 49th Operations Group and in welcoming his new troops, Col. Michael Stapleton, 49th OG commander, spoke to his Airmen and thanked his three new commanders for "taking such great care of our finest asset -- our Airmen."

"I couldn't be prouder to be a part of this team," he said. "I couldn't be prouder of the work that you've done over the last year to build this capability here at Holloman."

Colonel Stapleton passed the guidons and command of the three new squadrons to Colonels Merchant, Sherwood and Marsch.

Equally important as the three new training squadrons is the 849th AMXS, whose mission is to uphold the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper. This squadron falls under 49th Maintenance Group and the command of Col. Donald Van Patten, 49th MXG commander.

"You are witnessing a unique event today as we stand up a brand new organization in the 49th Maintenance Group -- the 849th," Colonel Van Patten said. "It is a rare opportunity to witness not only a unit's birth, but a unit's beginning that will play such an important role in our Air Force's future with remotely piloted vehicles."

The 849th AMXS was originally a detachment assigned to Creech and located here, but with the assumption of command ceremony, it became the second aircraft maintenance squadron assigned to Holloman.

Colonel Van Patten also welcomed his new Airmen and new squadron commander, Major Reichardt, as he passed him the 849th AMXS guidon.

"Our Air Combat Command and 12th Air Force leadership decided to entrust this vital mission to the 49th Fighter Wing," Colonel Van Patten said. "It is an awesome responsibly that we take very seriously."

Each RPV squadron commander spoke about their newly acquired responsibilities and thanked their families for their support, and the theme remained the same throughout the ceremony -- the significance of Holloman's new RPV mission.

"America's sons and daughters are engaged in combat today and when their boots hit the ground, they ask for one thing -- they ask for mutual support from the sky ... the missions delivered by the men and women that fix and fly the MQ-1 and MQ-9," Colonel Stapleton said. "It is a highly lethal weapon of war but frankly, without these Airmen it's just an airplane."