Operations Group under new leadership

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Agneta Murnan
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Col. Glen VanHerck accepted command of the 71st Operations Group from Col. Mark Nowland, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, during a ceremony here Sept. 19 in Hangar 170.

Colonel VanHerck comes to Vance from T-6A Pilot Instructor Training at Randolph AFB, Texas. Prior to training, Colonel VanHerck served as deputy commander to the 509th Operations Group, Whiteman AFB, Mo.

"I ask three simple things of the Operations Group: safely execute the mission, produce leaders at all levels and take care of our people," said Colonel VanHerck.

"The number one job of leaders is to produce more leaders. The leader is at all levels, down to the youngest supervisor. I truly feel that," Colonel VanHerck said. He noted the current context of leadership changes, from the president, secretary of the Air Force and chief of staff of the Air Force, to Vance's new Wing and Operations Group commanders.

New leadership creates new and different priorities, Colonel VanHerck explained. "All members of Team Vance may not see the new priorities as affecting them, but new priorities will apply to everyone."

Colonel VanHerck earned his commission as a graduate from the University of Missouri's Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1987 with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies. He is a graduate of Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, and Naval War College, Newport, R.I.

Following undergraduate pilot training at Columbus AFB, Ohio, in 1989, Colonel VanHerck was assigned to the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena AB, Japan. After attending the U.S. Air Force Weapons Instructor Course at Nellis AFB, Nev., he served in various positions in the 94th Fighter Squadron at Langley AFB, Va. In May 1997, he was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Weapons School as an F-15 instructor pilot and later chief, F-15 Flight Safety, Headquarters Air Warfare Center, Nellis AFB.

Colonel VanHerck was accepted into the B-2 program at Whiteman AFB in August 1998. In January 2002, he was assigned as B-2 program element monitor, Directorate of Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, and later served as the chief of Senior Officer Management.

Colonel VanHerck returned to Whiteman AFB to take command of the 715th Weapons Squadron, later to be re-designated the 325th Weapons Squadron in January 2005. Upon completion of his command tour, he served as deputy commander to the 509th Operations Group.

Colonel VanHerck is a command pilot with over 2,800 flying hours in the T-6A Texan II, T-37 Tweet, T-38A Talon, F-15 Eagle A, B, C and D models, and B-2A Spirit.

Among his decorations are the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Air Force Achievement Medal.