LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Airmen of the 434th Flying Training Squadron (FTS) gathered to bid farewell to Lt. Col. Christopher Cherry and welcome Lt. Col. Bendel Rushing as the new squadron commander during a change of command ceremony held here June 6, 2025.
Col. Joseph McCane, 47th Operations Group commander, presided over the ceremony and spoke about the 434th FTS’ impact on the mission and the leadership legacy Cherry leaves behind.
“What you built with the ‘Red Devils’ is special,” said McCane. “You created a culture where instructors felt valued, the mission thrived, and Laughlin stood out—not just as a place to train pilots, but as a place where people wanted to be. That legacy will carry on. Lt. Col. Rushing, you’re stepping into a squadron with a strong foundation and an incredible team. I know you’re ready for the challenge, and I’m excited to see how you lead the Red Devils into their next chapter.”
The “Red Devils” nickname traces back to the squadron’s World War II roots—flying the P-38 Lightning, a twin-tailed aircraft German forces dubbed the “Gabelschwanzteufel,” or “fork-tailed devil,” which likely inspired the emblem featuring two devils and the enduring call sign of the 434th FTS.
Cherry assumed command of the 434th FTS on Sept. 5, 2023. During his tenure, he implemented a centralized scheduling model that enabled the execution of up to 150 sorties per day. His leadership helped increase pilot production by 31% one year and 9% the next; placing the wing on pace to graduate 356 pilots in fiscal year 2025.
Following his command, Cherry is slated to serve as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Office of National Drug Control Policy at the White House.
“I’ve been in the Air Force 18 years, and up to this point there’s only been one time I’ve ever said, ‘My successor is going to do a better job than me,’” said Cherry. “Today is the second. You’ve got the pedigree, experience, dedication, leadership, passion, compassion to lead my Devils—soon to be your Devils. It warms my Devil heart to say that. Give ‘em hell, my friend.”
Prior to assuming command, Lt. Col. Rushing served as the Director of Operations and a T-6A Instructor Pilot for the 85th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin, where he oversaw a $26 million flying hour program and facilitated more than 32,000 sorties annually. A former Combat Search and Rescue pilot in the HC-130P and HC-130J, Rushing has deployed in support of multiple operations including Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom.
“What we do here is vital to securing victory on the battlefields of tomorrow,” said Rushing. “Every student we graduate, every sortie we fly, every challenge we overcome. We will always continue to protect and avenge. Together as a unified team, alongside every member of Team XL, we will lead the UPT enterprise in graduating warriors for our nation. Give ‘em hell, Devils.”
The squadron supports the Air Force’s second-largest flying hour program and flies over 35,000 hours annually, preparing students with foundational skills for advanced pilot training and future operational missions.
Activated in 1943, the 434th has a storied lineage dating back to World War II, when it flew P-38 Lightnings in support of D-Day and subsequent European campaigns. The squadron has since operated a variety of aircraft, including the P-51, F-86, F-100, F-4, and T-38, before transitioning to the T-6. Among its decorated alumni are fighter aces Robin Olds, Arthur Jeffrey, and George Gleason.
“To my Devils—it’s been the honor of a lifetime to lead you all,” said Cherry. “I gave everything I had to give, sometimes a little bit more. I led you imperfectly, always with a full Devil heart, and never with any ulterior or self-serving motives. No one can do what you do. No one builds a pilot like you. No one shows up like you. What you do today will reverberate around the globe for decades to come. Please never forget that.”