192nd Operations Support Squadron welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Johnisa B. Roberts
  • 192nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. --  The 192nd Fighter Wing Operations Support Squadron celebrated a change of command ceremony Feb. 27, 2016 at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Lt. Col. Christopher G. Batterton assumed command of the 192nd OSS from Lt. Col. Steven S. Alexander.

"The past few years have been an amazing experience as I've learned a lot about leadership, mentorship, and how things operate in the 192nd Fighter Wing," said Lt. Col. Steven S. Alexander, former 192nd OSS commander. "We have some amazing people in this unit, and all of their individual efforts have added up to the team's success throughout the years."

As commander, Alexander led the 192nd OSS through three Red Flag exercises, two combat archers, Northern Edge, Combat Hammer, a trilateral exercise with the French and United Kingdom Air Forces, and the Rapid Raptor Exercise. Alexander also led the Squadron through the first ever combat use of the F-22 and its revolutionary air-to-ground capabilities, according to Col. Thomas McAtee, 192nd FW Operations Group commander.

"The 192nd OSS is currently at its highest state of readiness," said McAtee. "They have truly set an example of the Citizen Airman for the U.S. Air Force. Batterton has inherited an outstanding squadron and I am confident that he is qualified to take on the responsibility of leading the OSS because he is no stranger to leadership."

Batterton was commissioned in 1999 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in legal studies. He earned his pilot wings in 2000 as a distinguished graduate upon completion of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.  In 2002, Batterton served as an Instructor Pilot and Mission commander at the 79th Fighter Squadron at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. He earned multiple flying awards including Overall Top Gun of the 79th FW in 2003 and Flight Lead of the year in 2004 for the 20th FW Shaw AFB, SC.

In 2005, Batterton transitioned to the F-22A as a member of the 1st FW 27th FS at Langley AFB, Virginia. He participated in several deployments and exercises as well as supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  In 2009, Batterton left active duty and joined the 192nd FW, 149th FS as a guardsman. He has accumulated over 1,800 flying hours and he has numerous military decorations including the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Air Force Longevity Service Award.

"It's truly an honor to serve with [the 192nd OSS]," said Lt. Col. Christopher G. Batterton, 192nd OSS commander. "I look forward to working with and building on [the unit's] successes, and to continue honing our skills in support of the Wing's vision to be America's premier Wing, led by next generation Citizen Airmen and integrated with our mission partners, ready to fly fight and win anytime, anyplace."