Vance Air Force Base News

Beginning with the basics -- the future of Undergraduate Pilot Training

Senior Airman Michaela Prince — Fri, 04 Sep 2026 20:18:06 GMT

Six months ago, a group of Airmen began their journey that would take them from learning the very basics of flight to becoming world-class aviators.

An autographed T-1A launches from Vance – ending a training legacy

Pentagon News — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:00:00 GMT

The last T-1A Jayhawk training aircraft left Vance Air Force Base destined for the bone yard at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

Air Force Awards Production Contract for Next-Gen Aerospace Readiness Enterprise System

Dan Hawkins — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 15:30:00 GMT

The Department of the Air Force’s initiative to overhaul its aircrew management systems has reached a critical milestone following extensive operator testing, officially awarding the Aerospace Readiness Enterprise System, or ARES, production contract to VivSoft.

Forty-four students receive their wings during landmark graduation

Pentagon News — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 20:39:00 GMT

Forty-four students in pilot training here graduated during a ceremony held Aug. 7 at the Stride Bank Center in Enid, Oklahoma.

T-38 Talon operational pause

Pentagon News — Tue, 19 May 2026 19:02:00 GMT

The Air Force is implementing a fleet-wide operational pause for all T-38 Talon aircraft, ensuring the continued safety of Air Force personnel and equipment during an ongoing investigation.

AFAS chief officer stresses importance of financial support systems available to Airmen

Senior Airman Michaela Prince — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:45:38 GMT

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Edward Thomas, chief executive officer of the Air & Space Forces Aid Society, visited Vance Air Force Base in May 2026 to discuss financial readiness resources available to Airmen and reconnect with a base tied closely to his family’s military history.

AETC Lines of Effort Power the Force Behind the 2026 National Defense Strategy

Pentagon News — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 20:55:00 GMT

Air Education and Training Command has revamped its Lines of Effort, establishing the strategic framework guiding how the command recruits, trains and educates Airmen and Guardians to deliver combat-credible forces capable of deterring aggression and winning in a high-end fight.

U.S. Air Force senior leaders meet with Vance Airmen

Pentagon News — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 17:26:17 GMT

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach, his wife, Mrs. Cindy Wilsbach, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Wolfe, and his wife, Dr. Doniel Wolfe, visited Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, home of the 71st Flying Training Wing, April 15.

Scarlet Hawk 26-02 -- exercising for the 'road to war'

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:27:00 GMT

Exercise Scarlet Hawk 26-02 tested Airmen’s readiness at Vance Air Force Base, March 23–27, through a series of escalating “road to war” scenarios designed to mirror real-world threats.

Air Force Falcons take on the ORU Golden Eagles

Senior Airman Jordan Sillence — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 19:12:00 GMT

Cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons baseball team visited Vance Air Force Base to experience the pilot-training mission firsthand and play baseball with the Oral Roberts University Golden Eagles, from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Team Vance hosts the Area 6 Special Olympics track and field event

Airman 1st Class Michaela Prince — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 17:25:48 GMT

On a warm Oklahoma morning athletes, volunteers and military members gathered at Vance Air Force Base to celebrate teamwork and perseverance during the Area 6 Special Olympics track and field event March 10, 2026.

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.