338th TRS named training squadron of the year Published March 27, 2013 By Senior Airman Heather Heiney 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 338th Training Squadron was recently named the 81st Training Wing Technical Training Squadron of the Year and is now competing at the 2nd Air Force-level. Each squadron was judged on their significant unit accomplishments, significant unit improvements and base and community support. The Dark Knights' mission is to "professionally train cyberspace warfighters in Airmanship and apprentice skills across four AFSCs while developing experts in all skill levels -- producing the world's best trained, combat-ready Airmen!" They supported this mission by training more than 3,000 cyber technicians in 2012 in their 64 in-house courses. The 338th TRS also developed several programs that saved Air Force resources including a web-based 7-level training course and electronic textbooks. After Hurricane Isaac, the squadron saved $88,000 and 3,800 man hours by quickly resuming operations and holding a make-up day on a non-training day. The unit worked to improve quality of life for their Airmen by organizing 26 facility projects throughout the year and leading a wing-wide Internet upgrade. The Dark Knights are also active volunteers on base and in the local community and participated in several events including the Saucier haunted trail, Mardi Gras parades, American Heart Association Heart Walk, Operation Paperback and the Special Olympics.