JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- The 99th Flying Training Squadron, famed for its Tuskegee Airmen legacy, held a change of command ceremony on Friday, June 6, marking the official transition of leadership from Lt. Col. Dominique Haig to Lt. Col. Michael Trott.
The ceremony, held at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, honored Lt. Col. Haig’s tenure and welcomed Lt. Col. Trott as the incoming commander. Haig led the historic squadron through a critical period that included the final flight of the T-1A Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, which will retire from pilot training operations after 31 years of service.
During the ceremony, Haig reflected on the unit’s legacy and the significance of leading it.
“You carry on a legacy of service, bravery, and the courage to never let someone else define your potential,” she said. “It’s been an honor to lead this historic squadron, to get the opportunity to work with two mission sets and two different groups of people, but with one awesome, inspiring legacy.”
As he assumed command, Lt. Col. Trott spoke about the significance of the date and the enduring legacy of the squadron. “It’s poetic that today, June 6, marks the 81st anniversary of D-Day,” Trott said. “The turning point of World War II, and one of the most defining moments in our nation's history. The Allied invasion of Normandy was a pivotal event in WWII—a war where the 99th began its legacy as the 99th Pursuit Squadron, later designated the 99th Fighter Squadron.”
Trott continued, “Affectionately earning the name Red Tails, they did so with discipline, courage, and undeniable excellence. They didn’t just prove they belonged—they proved what was possible.”
“From the skies over Europe in 1944 to the cutting edge of flight training in 2025, the mission has changed, but the spirit has remained the same,” he added. “The 99th is still leading, still proving, and still flying for something greater than themselves.”
The 99th FTS, also known as the “Red Tails,” traces its lineage to the 99th Pursuit Squadron—the first African American fighter squadron in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Today, it continues to carry forward that legacy by training a new generation of U.S. Air Force pilots.
The squadron is also preparing to usher in the next era of pilot training as the first unit in the Air Force scheduled to receive the T-7A Red Hawk, a fifth-generation advanced trainer aircraft named in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen.
The event was attended by members of the 99th FTS, fellow Airmen, and distinguished guests, recognizing both the squadron’s proud heritage and its vital role in the future of military aviation.