Vance aircraft relocate in advance of anticipated severe weather

Published March 11, 2021
71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Over 50% of Vance Air Force Base’s fleet of T-1A Jayhawks, T-6A Texan IIs and T-38 Talons spent Thursday relocating to airfields in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas in anticipation of severe weather forecast to hit Oklahoma tomorrow.

“We made this decision for two reasons,” said 71st Flying Training Wing commander, Col. Jay Johnson. “First is the need to protect our $1.2 billion fleet. Any aircraft staying in place will be hangared, both at Vance and in the Joint Use Hangar at Woodring Regional Airfield, here in Enid.”

Woodring often acts as Vance’s “fourth runway,” and is a strategic asset for the installation.

“We also want to continue our mission of training the world’s greatest aviators, and sending out a majority of our fleet today ensures we can continue, despite the weather,” said Johnson.

The aircraft are expected back on base Sunday, and normal flying operations will resume Monday morning.