23d Flying Training Squadron Commander

LIEUTENANT COLONEL CINDY M. TOPE

Lt Col Tope is the commander of the 23d Flying Training Squadron (23 FTS), Fort Rucker, Alabama. She is responsible for all training and flying operations for the Air Force’s only rotary wing undergraduate pilot training unit. The 23 FTS executes the 58th Special Operations Wing’s largest flying hour program, totaling 10,063 flight hours, operates 28 TH-1H helicopters, and produces more than 100 undergraduate pilots and special mission aviators per year.

Lt Col Tope flew the UH-1N to provide missile field security and maintenance support at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana and airlift support for the National Capital Region at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland. Prior to  her current position, the Lt Col was the Chief of Joint Training Programs, Joint United States Military Assistance Group, US Embassy in Manila, Philippines.

Lt Col Tope received her commission in 2008 from the United States Air Force Academy. Lt Col Tope has been an instructor and evaluator pilot in the UH-1N. She is a senior pilot with more than 1,900 flight hours.