Year in Review: looking at memorable events of 2006 Published Dec. 28, 2006 By Capt. Tony Wickman Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- It was nearly impossible to pass through the gates of Vance without noticing the flurry of flying being done at the Air Force's second busiest airfield this past year. Likewise, it was just as impossible not to notice the successes and achievements of Team Vance in 2006 in accomplishing its mission. Looking through the stories of the year there were many highlights that captured the hard work, determination and fortitude of Team Vance making top-notch pilots for the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and U.S. allies, while simultaneously deploying Airmen around the world in support of combatant commanders' needs as part of the Expeditionary Air Force. From the first presidential visit to Vance in 16 years to the 71st Flying Training Wing getting a new commander to the retirement of the venerable T-37 Tweet, Team Vance stayed busy and shined through it all. There were individual and team awards galore for Vance in 2006, many of them recognizing excellence from the previous year. From having one of the Air Force's 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year to the wing receiving the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award to sweeping the 19th Air Force instructor pilot of the year awards in the T1, T-6 and T-38, Vance people and units shined. Also, in fiscal year 2006 there were 416 pilots trained with 15 out of 15 on-time graduations. Additionally, the wing flew 82,837 hours during 55,692 sorties with zero class 'A' mishaps. Construction was another big issue for the base throughout the year. To the repaving of Kegelman Auxiliary Air Field's runway to the construction and opening of the new Consolidated Logistics Complex to the demolition of old World War II facilities, Vance continued its facelift to modernize itself as a 21st century facility. Many of the changes and successes of the base were directly tied to the Air Force's mission, structure and plans in 2006. The Air Force continued to fight the Global War on Terrorism and the war in Iraq, announced a force draw down of 40,000 Airmen over the next couple of years, integrated new weapon platforms and planned for others, announced plans to create a new cyberspace command and many other changes too numerous to mention. Looking into the crystal ball it is easy to see what the top issues will be for Vance in 2007. The base will continue to produce excellent pilots for the armed forces of the U.S. and its allies; it will deploy Airmen around the world in support of Air Expeditionary Force taskings; it will continue construction around the base, especially for Base Realignment and Closure related additions; it will add missions like Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals; it will continue to focus on flying and personal safety; and, its people and units will continue to win awards and be recognized as the best in Air Education and Training Command and the Air Force.