First all Space Force flight graduates OTS

US Space Force | Mar. 14, 2023

By Airman Tyrique Barquet

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE: The first all-Space Force flight from Officer Training School graduated March 10, 2023. 

The 15 guardians who comprised Lima “Lasers” Flight completed the eight-week training course to commission as second lieutenants and will go on to lead in the newly created service.

During training, the flight excelled, winning the Commandant’s Cup, which is presented to the team who best demonstrates courage, resiliency, and hardiness of spirit by leading the way in a series of demanding physical and mental team challenges.

“When I was assigned the Space Force flight, I wasn’t sure what to expect,” said Maj. Kaleigh Sides, flight commander of Lima Flight. “But I couldn’t be prouder of how they came together. Instead of 15 individuals, they were one team.”

The flight is a model for the future of how OTS plans to continue training and developing new Space Force officers.

“We’ve graduated Guardians from OTS before, but this is the first time we’ve had the numbers to create a dedicated standalone USSF flight,” said Col. Keolani Bailey, OTS commandant. “In the future, we’ll continue to group them as much as possible to align their training with foundational Space Force imperatives as we build warrior-minded leaders of character for our total force team.”

He also mentioned the impact that these new leaders will have on their new service.

“These officers are the pioneers of a new era in space operations, and their achievements will inspire future generations of Guardians with character, connection, commitment, and courage.” said Bailey.

As the United States continues to expand its space capabilities, it is essential to have a highly trained and skilled force that can operate in this challenging environment. The officers who graduated from Officer Training School are now ready to make their mark on history and lead the way in this new era of space exploration and national security.

The graduated Space Force officers are:

Robert Bartkowiak
Alec Buchanan
Joseph Cheung
Jeremy Colon
Jacob Gagnon
Emily George
Karolyn Meno
Max Schrieber
Anthony Phan
Harmanjeet Gidda
Raul Rodriguez
Evan Van Horn
Cameron Kopec
Jennifer Leo
Christopher Terrell

Space Force cadets and Air Force enlisted military training instructors at Officer Training School gather in a ‘delta’ formation on Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, March 7, 2023. One of the OTS flights from the last graduating class was an all-Space Force flight, with 15 Guardians being commissioned into the new force.
Space Force cadets and Air Force enlisted military training instructors at Officer Training School gather in a ‘delta’ formation on Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, March 7, 2023. One of the OTS flights from the last graduating class was an all-Space Force flight, with 15 Guardians being commissioned into the new force.
U.S. Space Force Guardians march by for pass and review at Officer Training School, March 10, 2023, at Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The officers comprised the first all-Space Force flight to commission from OTS.
U.S. Space Force Guardians march by for pass and review at Officer Training School, March 10, 2023, at Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The officers comprised the first all-Space Force flight to commission from OTS.
Guidon bearers from Officer Training School march during pass and review March 10, 2023, at Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The school graduated and commissioned its first all-Space Force flight, comprised of 15 officers heading to be leaders in the newly created force.
Guidon bearers from Officer Training School march during pass and review March 10, 2023, at Welch Field, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. The school graduated and commissioned its first all-Space Force flight, comprised of 15 officers heading to be leaders in the newly created force.
A newly minted challenge coin commemorates Officer Training School’s Lima Flight as the first all-Space Force Guardian flight to commission at OTS, as depicted on the coin on right. The coin on the left pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, the namesake of the OTS Mustangs student squadron, in which the flight is assigned.
A newly minted challenge coin commemorates Officer Training School’s Lima Flight as the first all-Space Force Guardian flight to commission at OTS, as depicted on the coin on right. The coin on the left pays tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen, the namesake of the OTS Mustangs student squadron, in which the flight is assigned.

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