VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Col. Kurt Meidel, right, accepts command of the 71st Operations Group from Col. Russ Mack, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, during a ceremony held Friday, Aug. 20, in Hangar 199. Colonel Meidel comes to Vance from the U.S. Transportation Command at Scott AFB, Ill. The Operations Group is directly responsible for graduating more than 425 new pilots every year. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Terry Wasson)