Two Team Vance members graduate Sheppard NCO Academy Published Feb. 20, 2013 VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Tech. Sgts. Jose Melendez-Alvarez and Brian Spann were among the 167 NCOs graduating with NCO Academy Class 13-2 during a formal ceremony held Feb. 15 at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Melendez-Alvarez is the NCO in charge of bioenvironmental engineering with the 71st Medical Operations Squadron. Spann is an air traffic control watch supervisor with the 71st Operations Support Squadron. The NCO Academy at Sheppard AFB provides mid-level enlisted Airmen with the tools and training to take on increased leadership roles and responsibilities. Each class is almost six weeks long. Students study Air Force history, organization and mission, the military justice system, professional skills, customs, courtesies, leadership and management. The NCO Academy is the second level of in-resident enlisted professional military education available to Air Force members.