71st Operations Group now under new leadership Published Jan. 17, 2007 By Public Affairs Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Command of the 71st Operations Group changes hands in a ceremony at 10 a.m. today at Hangar 170. Col Kevin Kriner accepts command of the group from Col Keith Snyder. Colonel Kriner comes to Vance Air Force Base from Maxwell AFB, Ala., where he was attending Air War College. "It is an honor to be back in (Air Education and Training Command) and to be a part of developing our Airmen," Colonel Kriner said. Colonel Snyder now travels to Tyndall AFB, Fla., to serve as director of operations for 1st Air Force. "It's been a wonderful two years," Colonel Snyder said. "Thanks to all of the group, and I have great faith in Colonel Kriner continuing to lead you to bright futures." As the 71st OG commander, Colonel Kriner supervises all flying activities for the 71st Flying Training Wing as it conducts joint specialized undergraduate pilot training for more than 460 U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and allied student pilots each year. The group operates more than 218 aircraft that fly more than 69,000 sorties and log more than 96,000 flying hours annually. Colonel Kriner received his commission from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1983. He has served in a variety of assignments including A-10 pilot and flight commander at Royal Air Force Alconbury in the United Kingdom; chief of offensive air operations, Headquarters Allied Air Forces Central Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany; and two positions, operations officer and commander, of the 66th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev. Colonel Kriner is a command pilot with more than 3,400 collective flying hours in the T-37, T-38, AT-38 and A-10. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal. (71st FTW Public Affairs)