334th TRS takes AETC’s top honors Published June 1, 2011 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AFB, Miss. -- The 334th Training Squadron is Air Education and Training Command's training squadron of the year for fiscal 2010. "I was thrilled to hear AETC recognized all the brilliant work the Gators produce so routinely," said Lt. Col. Michael Callender, commander. "It's truly an honor to be a part of this 'chomp'tastic team." The Gators team of 136 active-duty members and 64 civilians were responsible for training 7,458 command and control warriors from 23 nations. Twenty-four courses covering eight different Air Force Specialty Codes were taught. The unit claimed both the annual drill down championship and military training flight honors for the 81st Training Group. In the largest international course in the 81st TRG, 46 foreign members and 24 U.S. Air Force members completed the airfield operations officers course, shaping the future of air traffic control around the world. The aviation resource management flight won the Air Force's award for top small unit. The unit's military training flight was recognized as the best in the 81st Training Group. Twelve of the unit's Airmen deployed to eight different combat airfields. One of the squadron's training innovations was the first airfield obstruction calculator that reduced analysis 95 percent. new advanced parachute system enhanced the training of 10 combat control instructors. The Gators volunteered with the Humane Society of South Mississippi, Biloxi Natatorium, Special Olympics, YMCA and Our Lady of Fatima School. Members were involved in the combat controllers memorial ruck march. They hosted seven blood drives and collected 481 units. The squadron found time for athletics, too, claiming Keesler's Commander's Trophy, claiming two intramural sports championships and involving 115 squadron players.