Simmons takes command of 71st FTW
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
/ Published July 18, 2018
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Corey Simmons took command of the 71st Flying Training Wing during a ceremony held July 16 in Hangar 199.
The change of command was attended by Simmons’ friends and family, members of the local community and Team Vance.
Col. Darrell Judy relinquished command of the unit when he passed the 71st FTW guidon to the presiding official, Maj. Gen. Patrick Doherty, 19th Air Force commander.
Flights of Airmen from the 71st Operations Group, 71st Mission Support Group and the 71st Medical Group presented a final salute to Judy and their initial salute to the new commander.
Simmons comes to Vance from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, where he served as the 436th Airlift Wing vice commander.
He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 hours and has flown the C-17A Globemaster III, T-1A Jayhawk, T-38 Talon and the T-37 Tweet.
Judy was awarded the Legion of Merit medal during the change of command.
He retired after a 26-year Air Force career during a ceremony held later in the afternoon at the Vance Club.