Honorary commanders for 2013 installed during ceremony Jan. 17

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VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  A special group of community leaders from the local area met with senior Air Force members at the Vance Collocated Club on base Jan. 17 for the annual Honorary Commanders Hail and Farewell.

An honorary commander is an influential member of the Enid and surrounding communities selected by the 71st Flying Training Wing commander to spend a year attached to one of 18 organizations at Vance Air Force Base.

Community members who had served as honorary commanders during 2012 were thanked for their achievements and participation.

The 18 folks selected for 2013 were introduced and given a look at the opportunities and expectations they will experience in the coming months.

Honorary commanders are invited to attend unit functions, pilot graduations, change of commands and will have the chance to fly in one of the three aircraft used to train student pilots here.

The ceremony was an opportunity to celebrate the important contributions local leaders and the communities they represent make to Vance's mission of producing world-class pilots.

The honorary commanders for 2013, and the units they are attached to are:
  • 71st Flying Training Wing, Andi Holland, Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center director
  • 71st Operations Group, Joey Meibergen, W.B. Johnston Grain vice president
  • 71st Mission Support Group, Karl White, Enid Public Schools chief financial officer
  • 71st Medical Group, Lyn Murphy, Eisenhower Elementary School principal
  • 71st Comptroller Squadron, Bud Smith, Liberty Federal Savings Bank president/ chief executive officer
  • 3rd Flying Training Squadron, Dr. Marcie Mack, Autry Technology Center assistant superintendent
  • 5th Flying Training Squadron, Mike Huston, Huston Energy vice president
  • 8th Flying Training Squadron, Josh Ward, Bluejay's Barber Shop owner
  • 25th Flying Training Squadron, Ford Simpson, Pond Creek BBQ head chef/general manager
  • 33rd Flying Training Squadron, Dr. Ryan Staerkel, Staerkel Veterinary Clinic owner
  • 71st Operations Support Squadron, David North, Oakwood Country Club executive chef/general manager
  • 71st Student Squadron, Jim Trojan, Shareholder CPA, Collins, Butler, & Company
  • 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron, Dan Rosendale, Calciner Operations, Oxbow vice president
  • 71st Security Forces Squadron, Jerry Niles, Garfield County Sheriff
  • 71st Force Support Squadron, Casey Felix, Central National Bank, assistant vice president, trust officer
  • 71st Communication Squadron, Cecilia Holle, GYM owner/trainer
  • 71st Medical Operations Squadron, Doug Newell, Enid Symphony Orchestra music director
  • 71st Medical Support Squadron, Jimmy Shaughnessy, Oakwood Country Club head tennis professional
The 2012 honorary commanders were:
  • Ray Feightner, Cummings Construction Company executive vice president, 71st FTW
  • Mike Fields, District Attorney, 71st OG
  • Glenn Watson, Henson Construction Company secretary/treasurer, 71st MSG
  • Dr. Todd Reilly, Orthopedic Associates of Enid, 71st MDG
  • Derek Gipson, Highland Partners chief executive officer, president/director, 71st CPTS
  • Alan Clepper, KOFM 103.1 producer, 3rd FTS
  • Joel Champlin, Champlin Resources, LLC, president, 5th FTS
  • Dr. Scott Shields, Enid Foot and Ankle, 8th FTS
  • Brian and Mary Davis, Port Lugano Bistro owners, 25th FTS
  • Kim Wise, Surgery Center of Enid administrator, 33rd FTS
  • Shawn Svob, Drilling Operations, Continental Resources, 71st OSS
  • Capt. Tom Nichols, Investigative Services, Enid Police Department, 71st STURON
  • Robert Sumner, Hone Oil Company owner, 71st LRS
  • Chief Brian O'Rourke, Enid Police Department chief, 71st SFS
  • Dan Petersen, Dillards assistant manager, 71st FSS
  • Dr. James Roger, Enid Eye Clinic, 71st CS
  • Aaron Harmon, GEFCO president, 71st MDOS
  • Becky Tucker, Integris Bass chief financial officer, 71st MDSS