Santa Claus is coming to Vance -- Air Force style Published Dec. 20, 2022 By Airman 1st Class Kathy Duran 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- After a two-month letter writing campaign to the North Pole, Santa Claus agreed to visit Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Dec. 19. Planning and logistics for Santa’s visit were organized by the 71st Operations Support Squadron, the 3rd Flying Training Squadron and the 71st Student Squadron. Team Vance parents and children gathered at the Community Chapel Activities Center on base to await his arrival. The children tracked Santa's flight path with the help of the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s Santa-Tracking website. A communications radio was set up in the CCAC so the children could talk with Santa during his flight. On Santa’s final approach, the parents and children followed the Head Elf to the flightline. When they got there, a T-1A Jayhawk taxied to a stop at the red carpet in front of Base Operations. Two helper elves opened the aircraft door and out jumped Santa Claus himself. After a quick meet and greet, everyone returned to the CCAC and resumed the holiday festivities. They sipped hot chocolate, ate cookies, decorated Christmas Tree ornaments and took holiday photos with Santa Claus himself. Santa’s visit was a demonstration of Vance Pride -- developing resilient Airmen and their families.