306th Flying Training Group gains commander Published Sept. 29, 2006 PUEBLO, Colo. (AETCNS) -- The 306th Flying Training Group, Detachment 1, the military arm of the new Initial Flight Screening school, gained its introductory commander here Monday under the Colorado skies that will witness the newest Air Force aviators. Lt. Col. John Tomjack, the Air Force's newest detachment commander, accepted command from Col. Paul Ackerman, 306th Flying Training Group commander. Colonel Tomjack is overseeing construction of the new facilities that will be used to train the Air Force's future warfighters. In addition to standing up the unit, Colonel Tomjack will command all permanent party instructors and students who pass through the school. "When Colonel Ackerman first spoke to me about the possibility of this command, I must admit that I was awestruck," said Colonel Tomjack. "The opportunity to work directly with Doss Aviation in the construction of a mini Air Force base was an opportunity I never dreamed possible." Doss Aviation is the civilian company awarded the contract in May to conduct the Initial Flight Screening program. IFS, scheduled to begin Oct. 13, will eventually train between 1,300 and 1,800 students each year and evaluates candidates hoping to enter undergraduate flight training either as pilots or combat systems officers at one of several Air Force bases throughout the United States. Maj. Gen. Marc Rogers, 19th Air Force commander, also attended the ceremony marking the beginning of IFS' training transformation to provide standardized flight instruction with Air Force oversight at one central location. "IFS lays the airmanship and military foundation for the next generation of Air Force aviators," said General Rogers.