Active to Reserve: Commander goes from retired to rehired

  • Published
  • By By Maj. Marnee A.C. Losurdo
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs

The commander of the Air Force Reserve’s 815th Airlift Squadron “Flying Jennies” retired with 20 years of service from the U.S. Air Force in a ceremony at the Roberts Consolidated Maintenance Facility July 28, 2018.

Lt. Col. Stuart M. Rubio, an active-duty C-130 pilot who has been commander of the Flying Jennies since January 2016, will continue to serve as the commander, but instead as a reservist as part of the Regular Air Force to Air Force Reserve Program.

The 815th AS is a C-130J tactical airlift unit in the 403rd Wing that transports supplies, equipment and personnel in a theater of operation.

“Tomorrow, Stu is going to be back in the same seat, doing the same job, sitting at the same desk, flying the same airplanes,” said U.S. Air Force retired Lt. Col. Matthew Wehner, who officiated Rubio’s retirement and served with Rubio during many of his career assignments.

Wehner mentioned the reason for Rubio’s transition to the Air Force Reserve.

“Family, that’s what it’s all about,” he said. He then went on to highlight the 815th AS commander’s career.

Rubio earned his commission in May 1998 through the U.S. Air Force Academy. His first assignment was as a T-1A Jayhawk instructor pilot and student evaluator at the 86th Flying Training Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. He then went on to get his qualification in the C-130E Hercules and deployed in support of Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom and flew combat missions in the Horn of Africa. He then transitioned to the C-130J Super Hercules, serving in various roles on that airframe throughout his Air Force career. Prior to taking command of the 815th AS, he served as 48th Airlift Squadron director of operations.

When Rubio took command of the Flying Jennies, the 815th faced many challenges as it was rebuilding after years of uncertainty. As part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, the Air Force announced plans to transfer 10 of the 403rd Wing's C-130J aircraft. A 2015 report from the Secretary of the Air Force reversed that recommendation, beginning the programming and budgeting work to restore personnel and mission capability at Keesler.

During his change of command, Rubio said his goal was to bring the Flying Jennies back to the forefront of the tactical airlift community. His motto: “Day by day we get better and better until we can’t be beat, won’t be beat.”

And they did.

After a lot of hard work and training, the squadron reached full operational capability in November 2017, a full year ahead of schedule, and deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Freedom Sentinel and Inherent Resolve. The Flying Jennies provided combat airdrop, airlift and aeromedical evacuation support to operations throughout the U.S. Central Command, delivering 7 million pounds of cargo. Assigned to the 746th Air Expeditionary Squadron, they made Air Force history when they did a two-ship formation airdrop with the 774th EAS, an active duty squadron at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, providing supplies to a Resolute Support Expeditionary Advisory Package in Afghanistan. It was the first time two separate units in two countries came together for a single combat airdrop mission.

“The squadron has accomplished some Herculean stuff here at Keesler AFB,” said Wehner, who referenced a Calvin Coolidge quote which he said encompassed Rubio’s career and attitude.

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence,” he cited.

But Rubio said he didn’t do it alone, thanking his family for their support and sacrifice.

He also highlighted his spouse’s career, Megan Rubio, who he met at the Air Force Academy. She graduated from the institution with a degree in astronautical engineering and served six years in the Air Force. They have three children.

“Megan, you are the rock in the family while keeping me grounded; thank you for everything and your service,” he said.

“This has been an amazing adventure,” he said, adding that he learned a lot from each of his assignments, his fellow Airmen and his mentors. “Obviously, I loved it so much, that I can’t leave: I’m coming right back in. This next move is the best of both worlds. I get to keep doing what I’m doing, which I absolutely love, but also get to provide some stability for our family. We are super excited for what’s to come and to continue to serve.”