14th STUS lands new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Justin Spears, 14th Operations Group commander, Lt. Col. Courtland Stanley, incoming 14th Student Squadron commander, and Lt. Col. Joseph McCane, outgoing 14th STUS commander, pass the guidon, during a the 14th STUS Change of Command ceremony, June 21, 2021, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The 14th Student Squadron ranks as the largest squadron at Columbus AFB, consisting of 21 active duty and 82 civilian permanent party personnel as well as approximately 700 student pilots from 25 different nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

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14th STUS lands new commander

U.S. Air Force Col. Justin Spears, 14th Operations Group commander and Lt. Col. Joseph McCane, outgoing 14th Student Squadron commander, stand at attention as McCane is presented the Meritorious Service Medal, during a change of commander ceremony, June 21, 2021, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. McCane directed over 22,000 T-1 sorties and led the graduation of 285 T-1 students. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

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14th STUS lands new commander

A choir comprised of two instructor pilots and two student pilots assigned to the 14th Flying Training Wing, preform the National Anthem during a change of command ceremony, June 21, 2021, on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. The mission of the 14th Student Squadron is to ensure student pilots have everything they need to become both officers and pilots while providing unrivaled academic and simulator training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie)

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14th STUS lands new commander

Published June 22, 2021
By Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Lt. Col. Joseph McCane turned over command of the 14th Student Squadron to Lt. Col Stanley Courtland, during a change of command ceremony, June 21, 2021 on Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

Courtland is a career pilot with experience as a KC-135 instructor pilot, commander, and maintenance officer. While assigned to Headquarters Pacific Air Forces in Hawaii, he led disaster relief response teams for humanitarian assistance relief efforts in Indonesia and Tinian, an island in the Northern Mariana Islands in the Pacific Ocean.

“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your team,” said Courtland. “I am so excited to be your commander. The squadron is in an amazing place right now and a large reason for that is McCane.”

The 14th STUS exercises administrative control and provides daily administrative support for approximately 700 students at Columbus AFB, ensuring seamless continuity of support through all phases of training.

During his time as commander, McCane was responsible for over 1,200 student pilots, 97 simulator instructors, and 34 instructor pilots, leading to the graduation of 414 U.S. Air Force pilots and 24 pilots from allied partners.

“I am humbled to have lead this squadron,” said McCane. “Courtland, you are absolutely the right person to lead this STUS team. Lead fearlessly.”