AF names mission support squadron commanders by Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs 1/25/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas (AFNS) -- More than 580 officers from various Air Force career fields have been selected for mission support, training and recruiting, and deputy maintenance group command, Air Force Personnel Center officials announced.   Using squadron commander candidate lists released in November, wing hiring officials, major command functional managers and Air Force Personnel assignment teams matched candidates to projected command positions, said Jim Playford, the AFPC developmental and special duty assignments branch. Assignment teams will coordinate change of command and reporting dates with gaining and losing units to effect the announced command assignments. Not all candidates were matched, though, Playford explained. Developmental teams select more candidates than known requirements to account for unprojected requirements that might occur throughout the year. Non-selected members will remain on the candidate lists and eligible for unprojected command opportunities until superseded by calendar year 2013 results. Non-selected officers also remain eligible for other assignment opportunities, Playford said. "Squadron command is a huge step in the development of every Air Force officer," Playford said. "It represents the first major opportunity for officers to not only directly impact the Air Force mission but to also demonstrate requisite leadership skills for advancing to progressively higher levels of command."