Honorary commanders tour flying ops

  • Published
  • By Bob Farrell
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  The 71st Operations Group played host to seven Vance Air Force Base Honorary Commanders Tuesday.
Lt Col Miles Crowell, 71st OG deputy commander, welcomed the guests to the flightline, outlining the flying mission of the wing.
Colonel Crowell also provided some insight into the future of flight training, advising the visitors of the impending arrival of the T-6 Texan II early next year.
1st Lt Michael Creedon, 8th Flying Training Squadron, provided a tour of the 8th FTS, one of two T-37 squadrons providing initial flight training to students. Lieutenant Creedon pointed out the flight rooms where students spend most of their time with instructors learning the basics of flying. The honoraries were then shown how flights are scheduled and tracked. Students are taught in the T-37 for the initial six months of their training, then in the T-38C or the T-1A until graduation.
Students assigned to fighters or bombers, their training continues in the T-38C. 1st Lt Tom Young, 25th FTS, gave the guests a brief look into student training while in the T-38C by taking them through daily flight room activities. 2nd Lt David Sproehnle had the guests assume the role of students as he provided a formal weather briefing in the flight room. Lieutenant Young pointed out how training in the T-38 has vastly improved recently through upgrades to the aircraft's avionics and communications systems.
To give a better perspective of student training to the guests, they were each given an opportunity to fly a T-1A simulator. Captain Chad Bieber, 32nd FTS, provided an overview of how the simulators were used to benefit student training.
The tour was provided as part of a year-long process to indoctrinate honorary commanders into the mission of Vance Air Force Base, while giving them an opportunity to interact with Team Vance people, according to Colonel Crowell. Each honorary commander is assigned to a specific unit and establishes a close relationship with its commander and unit personnel.
"I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to be part of this program," said Dr. Brian Shewey, an honorary commander. "It's only for one year and I plan on making every event."
The next scheduled event for the honorary commanders is a tour of the operations group support functions from 2 to 4 p.m. July 13. Honorary commanders will visit the 71st Operations Support Squadron radar approach control facility, control tower and weather flight.