EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The 33rd Fighter Wing held an activation and assumption of command for the 33rd Training Squadron August 8, 2025.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Rex Calilung, 33rd TRS commander, assumed command during the activation ceremony. This new squadron marks the evolution of the 33rd Fighter Wing and represents the ever-changing needs of the Nomads.
“First of all, I just want to thank God,” Calilung remarked during the ceremony. “To Col. Thulin, thank you for the opportunity to lead this team. To the Devil Rays, I am proud to stand alongside you. Today we make history, let’s ‘rays’ some hell.”
The nickname “Devil Rays” signifies the squadron's origin here in the gulf coast and the creature’s stealth, comparable to that of an F-35.
The TRS acts as a force enabler and will absorb some operations previously delegated to other units, sharpening the wing’s ability to execute the mission.
“The TRS consolidates student administration functions, human performance contract oversight, and training development into a single squadron,” said Lt. Col. Alexander Turner, 33rd FW director of special staff. “Before the activation, these functions were spread amongst multiple squadrons, which is unlike any other formal training unit in the 19 AF.”
The newly activated squadron is the first of its kind at the 33rd FW, training F-35A Lightning II pilots and battle management operators.
“The training squadron is designed to deliver exceptional standardized training support through syllabus development, mission system simulator support, and more,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Brewer, 33rd TRS director of operations. “It ensures Combat Air Force’s F-35 pilots and battle management operators are fully successful in their operational roles.”
There’s a total of five transition-course F-35 pilots and 12 battle management operators who began training last month.
“During a student’s time with the TRS, they learn and train on classroom computers as well as full scale, highly technical simulators,” said Calilung. “These devices replicate real-life scenarios for emergency procedures training as well as contested environments for tactical execution.”
The first F-35 initial qualification training course will begin on 28 October.
“This process didn’t happen overnight,” said Turner. “The 33rd TRS is a culmination of well over a year of detailed coordination, compromise and analysis with leaders and team members across the wing and AETC.”
The activation of the 33rd TRS enhances the wing’s training capability and represents another step toward greater operational readiness for the 33rd FW.