Gurry takes command of 8th FTS Published June 12, 2017 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Lt. Col. Deirdre Gurry took command of the 8th Flying Training Squadron during a ceremony held at 2:08 p.m., June 9, in the Vance Fire Station. Col. Paul Johnson, the 71st Operations Group commander, presented Gurry with the unit guidon. Col. Andrea Themely, commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, pinned on Gurry’s commander insignia. Gurry was formerly the 71st Flying Training Wing Safety chief and a T-6A Texan II instructor pilot with the 33rd Flying Training Squadron here. She is replacing Lt. Col. Bryan Elder. Gurry has a master’s of Business Administration from Trident University International and a master’s of Military Operational Art and Science from Air University at Air Command and Staff College.