71 FTW Commander Declares Public Health Emergency Published March 27, 2020 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. - Colonel Corey Simmons, Commander, 71st Flying Training Wing, declared a public health emergency for the base today due to the evolving threat of COVID-19. The declaration of a public health emergency allows the base commander to take certain protective measures, such as restricting base movement and limiting services. The emergency order is in place for 30 days. The order can be terminated or extended as required. “While we do not have any confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Vance Air Force Base,” said Simmons, “declaring a public health emergency was the next logical step to be in line with our local, state, and national leadership’s guidance as the virus continues to spread. To that end, we will continue to answer our nation’s call to produce the world’s best pilots as long as our nation asks us to do so. We will continue to mitigate risk with all available means to keep our Airmen and their families as safe as possible. As always, the relationship with our community partners in Enid and Garfield County has been stellar, and our medical professionals are working hand-in-hand with their counterparts to combat COVID-19.” The base upgraded to Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level CHARLIE in response to guidance from the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force on March 26, 2020. Travel Update: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html COVID-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html Department of State Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/ CDC Health Travel Notices: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/ - 30 -