LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Lt. Col. Ed Horner assumed command of the 497th Operational Support Squadron July 6, at Langley Air Force Base, Va.
The 497th OSS is a newly created squadron in the 497th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group.
The 497th OSS will provide support for the 30th Intelligence Squadron and the 10th IS, relieving many of their training and evaluation responsibilities. The new squadron will also support the 45th IS once it arrives at Langley later this year.
Horner said his squadron has been charged to prepare the 497th ISRG to work new missions and use new tactics in the field.
"Intelligence is critical to mission success," said Horner. "We are trusted professionals tasked with many no-fail missions."
This is the first time Horner has taken command; however, he has held multiple leadership positions within the intelligence career field as a chief of multiple branches of the ISR organization, such as ISR Operations and Plans, and Theater Security Cooperation.
In addition to his at-home operations, Horner is no stranger to the deployed mission.
The new commander spent nine years of his Air Force career as an enlisted Airman, and transferred into the officer corps in 1995. As an officer, Horner deployed to U.S. Central Command's Area of Responsibility five times, and went to East Timor in 1999 as part of the Australian-led Operation Stabilize.
During his service, Horner has earned approximately 1,000 flight hours in the RC-135 V/W, with more than 600 hours of combat flight in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Horner will use all of this experience to lead this new squadron in the right direction.
Taking command of this squadron with such a unique support function will present new challenges for both Horner and his commander, Col. Patrick Shortsleeve, 497th ISRG commander. With the introduction of another new intelligence squadron in the upcoming months, Horner's task becomes one of adaptation, said Shortsleeve.
In the face of such a challenge, Shortsleeve is confident that Horner and his team have the capability to carry the burden.
"[Horner] is the perfect fit for this unit," said Shortsleeve. "He comes well prepared for command."