Vance Air Force Base News

Mendoza shares important aspects of his 20-year career

Pentagon News — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 21:08:00 GMT

Master Sgt. Kevin Mendoza retired after a 20-year Air Force career during a ceremony held Feb. 25 in the Crosswinds Club at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

New aviators receive wings during Class 26-06 graduation

Pentagon News — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 20:53:00 GMT

Twenty-three students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 26-06 received their wings during a ceremony held Feb. 27 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

'Flag Dave' gets a ride in the jets he has greeted for two decades

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 18:32:45 GMT

For more than two decades, pilots passing through Fort Smith Regional Airport in Arkansas have come to expect a familiar sight on the ramp: a man dressed head to toe in red, white, and blue, standing proudly with an American flag raised high. To the world he is Dave Burns. To the military flying community, he is simply known as “Flag Dave.”

Learning to embrace the night sky

Pentagon News — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 19:09:47 GMT

Students in Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, learn to fly the night sky during their time in the T-6A Texan II aircraft.

Vance-trained pilot renews wedding vows 70 years later

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 20:56:00 GMT

Seventy years after saying “I do,” retired Air Force Col. Ryland Roy Dreibelbis and Peggy Bush Dreibelbis once again stood side by side to renew their vows in the same chapel where they were married in 1955.

Vance instructor pilot runs 30 miles to support local food bank

Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas Jr. — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:54:45 GMT

Capt. Matthew Breen, an instructor pilot assigned to the 33rd Flying Training Squadron, ran 30 miles on his 30th birthday to raise money for Loaves and Fishes, a local food bank serving more than 750 families each month.

Pilot training continues after sunset

Pentagon News — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:11:32 GMT

The sun may set but the training goes on

Vance and Enid celebrate Air Force’s birthday with fly-in, food trucks, music and a very nice cake

Airman 1st Class Jordan Sillence — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 17:43:07 GMT

Military and civilians from Vance Air Force Base and the city of Enid, Oklahoma, gathered at Enid-Woodring Regional Airport Sept. 13 to celebrate the Air Force’s 78th birthday with a Red, White and Blue Birthday Fly-in.

Class 25-15 earns 42 new sets of wings

Pentagon News — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:55:00 GMT

Forty-two students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-15 received their wings during a ceremony held Sept. 19 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Perpetual Silence

Tech. Sgt. Rose Gudex — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:55:00 GMT

Suicide can happen quietly and sometimes it’s the people closest to us who are struggling.

Aeromedical physician assistants ensure warfighter readiness

Maristela Romero — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 18:34:00 GMT

Air Force fighter pilots, aircrews, and missile crews lead the charge in defending the nation with medical professionals by their side committed to keeping them healthy and ready for the operational mission. Among members of this warfighting team are aeromedical physician assistants.

Twenty-seven students receive their wings during UPT Class 25-14 graduation

Pentagon News — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 16:08:21 GMT

Twenty-seven students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-14 received their wings during a ceremony held Aug. 22 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

A legacy in motion -- Douglas Pruitt returns to Vance Air Force Base

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:29:06 GMT

Col. Douglas Pruitt stepped once again onto the Vance Air Force Base flightline -- not as a student pilot this time, but as a keynote speaker addressing the next generation of aviators.

Student pilots in Class 25-13 pin on their wings during graduation Aug. 1

Pentagon News — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 20:55:39 GMT

Twenty-three students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-13 received their wings during a ceremony held Aug. 1 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Former maintenance chief turned elementary school principal retires at Vance

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 16:05:00 GMT

In a rare and touching moment on the Vance flightline, Lyntel Murphy ventured out for one final taxi out -- an Air Force honor recognizing the years of service by the former maintenance chief turned elementary school principal.

Class 25-12 receive their wings during graduation ceremony held July 11 at Vance

Pentagon News — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 22:05:07 GMT

Twenty-two students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-12 received their wings during a ceremony held July 11 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Thirty-six members of UPT Class 25-11 receive their wings during a graduation ceremony June 18 at Vance

Pentagon News — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 17:52:00 GMT

Thirty-six students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-11 received their wings during a ceremony held June 18 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Boosting readiness: AETC’s plan to train 1,500 pilots annually

Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:22:00 GMT

To maintain air superiority, project global power, and ensure national security, the U.S. Air Force requires a consistent supply of trained aviators—specifically, 1,500 pilots per year.

From Arabic linguist to wing chaplain – McCrory retires after 28-year career

Pentagon News — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:19:00 GMT

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Duane McCrory retired from active duty during a ceremony held Friday, May 30, in the chapel at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

Twenty-three new pilots receive their wings during graduation ceremony May 22

Pentagon News — Mon, 26 May 2025 19:36:41 GMT

Twenty-three students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-10 received their wings during a ceremony held May 22 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma.