Vance Air Force Base News

AETC Commander Launches Immersive Learning Challenge to Airmen; Proposals Due May 15

Dan Hawkins — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 15:44:00 GMT

The Commander's Challenge calls upon AETC units to develop innovative proposals that leverage immersive learning technology, like Dreamscape Learn, to transform their training programs. Submissions are due via email to AETC.ELE.Workflow@us.af.mil NLT 15 May 2025.

No comms -- no problem -- Vance makes history with uncontrolled airfield operations

2nd Lt. Julia Bennett — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 17:01:45 GMT

On March 8, 2025, Vance Air Force Base achieved a significant milestone by successfully executing uncontrolled airfield operations.

Hosting an International Student Pilot

DoD News — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Seeking applicants to host international student pilots.

Team Vance Working Dog Team patrols United Nations

DoD News — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:30:00 GMT

Senior Airman Tyler Dash and his military working dog, Ddelarge worked as part of a security detail ensuring the safety of world leaders and representatives at the U.N.

Vance Airman represents in Chicago marathon; learns true value of running

Airman 1st Class Angela Moore — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 20:37:51 GMT

For 2nd Lt. Steve Baiardi, a student pilot assigned to the 71st Student Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, physical training and marathon running have played a crucial role in developing the mental and physical skills needed to succeed in the Air Force.

Class 25-05 students receive aviator wings at graduation ceremony held Jan 31 at Vance

DoD News — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 20:33:45 GMT

Twenty-four students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-05 received their wings during a ceremony held Jan. 31 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Vance Defender expands leadership skills at Ranger School

2nd Lt. Lydia Stanford — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 17:53:00 GMT

1st Lt. Adama Mbaye, a 71st Security Forces Squadron logistics officer from Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, graduated from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School at Fort Moore, Georgia.

Serving others one pint at a time

Airman 1st Class Jordan Sillence — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 20:49:57 GMT

1st Lt. Michael Ober, an airfield operations flight operations officer assigned to the 71st Operations Support Squadron, is a bridge between the Our Blood Institute and Vance Air Force Base and he helps promote blood drives on base.

MWD handler prepares her canine partner for retirement

Senior Airman Ashley Talley — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 20:03:00 GMT

Staff Sgt. Sydney Adams, a 71st Security Forces Squadron military working dog trainer, prepares her canine partner Ares for something every service member faces -- retirement and transition to civilian life.

Enlisted Council provides dorm-life starter baskets

Airman 1st Class Jordan Sillence — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 16:19:42 GMT

When new Airmen arrive at Vance the only things that they will have for certain is their duffle bag full of issued items. Welcome baskets that the dorm council provides can ensure that newcomers have one less thing to worry about.

Class 25-03 students pin on wings following their graduation ceremony Dec. 6

DoD News — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 21:12:08 GMT

Twenty-five students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-03 received their wings during a ceremony held Dec. 6 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

DOD testing extending commissary access to civilian employees

DoD News — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 21:45:25 GMT

Two Air Education & Training Command bases were selected for a Department of Defense test on expanding commissary shopping privileges to DOD civilian employees at Defense Commissary Agency stores in the continental United States for 120 days starting Dec. 5.

Three generations of Air Force aviators -- a family tradition of service

Airman 1st Class Angela Moore — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Separated by decades of individual experiences, three men stand united in celebration, connected by family ties and a shared legacy of military service. Graduation day for 2nd Lt. William Hunter Bless, a student pilot assigned to the 71st Student Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, marks the addition of another world-class pilot to the Bless family line.

Kristen Christy shares her story of loss to suicide

Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 16:40:42 GMT

Kristen Christy, a master resilience trainer and resiliency expert, shared her story of losing her husband to suicide and her journey to healing with Airmen at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Sept. 11, 2024.

Team Vance Airman named Global Gaming Ambassador for Overwatch

Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 19:55:59 GMT

Airman 1st Class Miguel Angel Herrada was selected as the Global Gaming Ambassador for Overwatch, an online team-based video game. His mission is to build the Air Force’s competitive Overwatch team and organize tournaments for Airmen and Guardians across the country.

From Germany to Oklahoma City, Air Force supports Airman’s passion for softball

2nd Lt. Julia Bennett — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 19:11:00 GMT

Senior Airman Gabby Flores, a dental technician from the 71st Medical Group at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, represented Team Vance as a member of the Air Force softball team in the 2024 Armed Forces Tournament at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City this summer.

Vance FAIP who learned Japanese at USAFA will use his skills abroad

Senior Airman Christian Soto — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 18:00:00 GMT

Capt. Adam Payne, a T-6A Texan II instructor pilot with the 33rd Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, learned Japanese as a student at the Air Force Academy. His next assignment is Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

AETC command chief shares insights with Vance Airmen

Ellie Driver — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 19:00:00 GMT

Chief Master Sgt. Chad Bickley, the Air Education and Training Command command chief, met with Airmen and experienced Team Vance’s culture of excellence firsthand, during an immersion visit July 17, 2024.

DOD announces launch of online housing feedback system

DoD News — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:30:00 GMT

The Department of Defense announced the launch of the DOD Housing Feedback System on Aug. 12, an initiative designed to enhance transparency and accountability in DOD privatized military housing.

Vance student flies formation solo under watchful eye of his brother

Senior Airman Christian Soto — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 16:57:51 GMT

For 2nd Lt. Rayomand Bam and his brother, Capt. Danesh Bam, a sortie on the afternoon of July 10 became a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Rayomand, flying his formation solo in a T-6A Texan II, soared through clear Oklahoma skies as his brother’s wingman.