Vance Air Force Base News

Vance teen pursuing military career while playing football at the Academy

Airman 1st Class Christian Soto — Tue, 23 May 2023 19:12:20 GMT

Erik Lewis Jr. always had a clear goal in mind -- to pursue a career in the military. Now, after completing his senior year of high school, he is finally getting the opportunity to do so -- at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

Air Force prioritizes family values with Vance commanders as leading examples

Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Tue, 16 May 2023 20:47:00 GMT

Maj. Alayna Holt, 71st Comptroller Squadron commander, was the first at Vance Air Force Base to use the expanded military parental-leave program for Airmen and Guardians.

Former Vance commander guest speaker at Class 23-09 graduation

DoD News — Fri, 05 May 2023 21:24:00 GMT

Twenty-one students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-09 received their wings during a ceremony held May 5 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Stewart retires during ceremony held April 28 at Vance

DoD News — Mon, 01 May 2023 17:41:11 GMT

Lt. Col. Chad Stewart retired from active duty during a ceremony held April 28 in the 3rd Flying Training Squadron auditorium at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Chaplain King retires during ceremony in the sanctuary

DoD News — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 17:16:00 GMT

Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Tony King retired from active duty during a ceremony held in the Vance Chapel Sanctuary Friday, April 7.

ACC commander pins on wings of Vance’s newest UPT graduates

DoD News — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 20:41:01 GMT

Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Combat Command, and ACC Command Chief Master Sgt. John Storms, visited Vance Air Force Base April 13-14, to celebrate the Air Force’s newest aviators.

Pursuing two dreams keeps Vance instructor pilot very busy

2nd Lt. Cassidy Fisher — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 18:54:00 GMT

Capt. Kyele Bridel grew up with two dreams. Become an Air Force pilot and play soccer professionally. She has accomplished the first and is continuously striving toward the second.

Pilot wings awarded to 25 graduates of UPT Class 23-08

DoD News — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 20:29:00 GMT

Twenty-five students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-08 received their wings during a ceremony held April 14 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Celebrating with a prisoner of war on the 50th anniversary of repatriation

Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 22:05:32 GMT

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Air Force Lt. Col. Bill “Shortfinger” Schwertfeger's repatriation after being a prisoner of war for 407 days during the Vietnam War, Team Vance hosted a variety of events March 31, to include the first base-wide roll call, a missing man formation flown by T-38C Talons from the 25th and 560th Flying Training Squadrons and a ceremonial piano burning.

Vance instructor pilot retires with 5,200 hours in the T-6A

Joe B. Wiles — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 16:07:00 GMT

When a Naval Academy graduate reaches almost 5,200 flying hours in the Air Force T-6A Texan II, it’s time for a little reflection, and perhaps clarification.

Nineteen students receive their pilot wings during Class 23-07 graduation ceremony

DoD News — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 19:44:00 GMT

Nineteen students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-07 received their wings during a ceremony held March 24 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Vance joins 19th Air Force UPT teams for fly-in at Holloman

Airman 1st Class Kathy Duran — Tue, 21 Mar 2023 19:07:08 GMT

The 71st Flying Training Wing command team and instructor pilots from several training squadrons at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, attended the 19th Air Force Commander's Call and fly-in at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, March 2-4, 2023.

Caballero named Air Force Diagnostic Imaging NCO of the Year

Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 16:17:22 GMT

Staff Sgt. Cassandra Caballero won the 2022 U.S. Air Force Diagnostic Imaging NCO of the Year award, March 1, 2023.

Enid community members win 2022 Altus Trophy

Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Altus Chamber of Commerce officials have named the community of Enid, Oklahoma, the winner of the 2022 Altus Trophy for their outstanding support of Vance Air Force Base.

Vance's drive for excellence demonstrated for 19th Air Force command team

DoD News — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 18:51:45 GMT

Maj. Gen. Phillip Stewart, 19th Air Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Justin Apticar, 19th AF command chief, visited Vance Air Force Base, Feb. 8-10, 2023.

Former Chairman of Joint Chiefs guest speaker at Class 23-06 graduation

DoD News — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 21:20:00 GMT

Twenty-one students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-06 received their wings during a ceremony held March 3 at Vance Air Force Base.

Director of Air Force training, readiness tours Vance AFB, challenges new pilots to be the best

DoD News — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 18:32:00 GMT

Maj. Gen. Albert G. Miller, the Director of Training and Readiness and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, U.S. Air Force, visited Vance Air Force Base, Feb. 3, 2023.

CE planning team keeps Vance on track for excellence

2nd Lt. Gavin Kim — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 21:15:00 GMT

Every year Vance Air Force Base’s Civil Engineering Design Team receives funds to use for base improvement projects. Projects can range from repairs and renovations of existing buildings to new construction.

A space built by Airmen, for Airmen

Airman 1st Class Christian Soto — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 18:08:00 GMT

The Airman’s Lounge, a space built by and for Airmen, opened Feb. 8 at Vance Air Force Base.

Wings awarded to 22 graduates of Class 23-05

DoD News — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 18:03:34 GMT

Twenty-two students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-05 received their wings during a ceremony held Feb. 3 at Vance Air Force Base.