Fighter Training Squadron welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Hill
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. --  Lieutenant Col. Thomas Lennon relinquished command of the 49th Fighter Training Squadron to Lt. Col. Tor Dietrichs in a ceremony July 3.

Colonel Dietrichs enlisted in the Air Force upon graduating from high school in Ohio. He then separated from the AF to complete his studies in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at Ohio State University. He commissioned in 1992 after entering Officer Training School.

A Columbus AFB pilot training graduate, Colonel Dietrichs went on to fly the F-15E Strike Eagle for ten years after graduation.

While assigned to RAF Lakenheath, United Kingdom, he upgraded to mission commander and instructor pilot. He then went onto an assignment at Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C., where he filled many different positions.

In 2003, Colonel Dietrichs was assigned to a staff position at the Pentagon in the Weapons Division of the Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. His main priorities focused on air-to-air missiles and the USAF Fighter Exchange program. Later he completed Air Command and Staff College and earned a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University.

In 2005, he left the Pentagon to attend Intermediate Developmental Education at the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio.

Colonel Dietrichs joined the BLAZE Team in 2006 after attending T-38 Pilot Instructor Training at Randolph AFB, Texas. He joined the 50th Flying Training Squadron "Strikin' Snakes."

Colonel Dietrichs is a command pilot with more than 2,000 flight hours in the F-15E Strike Eagle and more than 300 hours in the T-38C Talon. His hours include 148 hours during 56 combat sorties. He has been deployed in support of Operations PROVIDE COMFORT, DENY FLIGHT, DELIBERATE FORCE, NORTHERN WATCH and IRAQI FREEDOM.

Colonel Lennon will stay with the BLAZE Team as the 14th Operations Group deputy commander.

The 49th FTS is responsible for Active Duty and international AT-38C flying training.

The 49th FTS also provides Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training to pilots and weapon system officers entering all Air Force major fighter weapons systems. This six-week course introduces pilots to air-to-air employment, air-to-surface attack and low-altitude navigation in the AT-38C.