New hangar gives T-1 fleet own space for maintenance

Published Dec. 11, 2006
By Capt Heather Kekic
Public Affairs

Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- The T-1A hangar officially opened for business after a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday inside the hangar.
"On behalf of everyone at Vance Air Force Base, we're extremely grateful for the political, intellectual and physical efforts that all involved in this project gave to make this hangar a reality," said Col Mike Callan, 71st Flying Training Wing commander.
The days of the T-1 sharing facility space in hangar 141 with the T-38 Talon are over.
This new hangar allows maintainers to completely maintain the T-1 fleet of 50 aircraft in one location.
T-1 aircraft maintainers are now centrally located in one facility. Avionics repair, scheduled and unscheduled maintenance is now conducted under one roof instead of towing
T-1s from hangar to hangar.
"We now have a facility that we're very proud of and know that the 32nd Flying Training Squadron will benefit from having its aircraft down for shorter periods of time," Colonel Callan said.
The first T-1A Jayhawk arrived at Vance AFB in December 1994 transforming Vance AFB into a Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training base.
"Since 1994, our T-1 fleet has been superbly maintained but the effort needed to do this hasn't been without its challenges," Colonel Callan said.
The hangar has a synchronized fire suppression system, heavy-duty electrical grids designed to handle aircraft test and maintenance equipment, a training classroom to keep maintainers current on repair and appliance issues and eight unique hangar doors made of materials guaranteed not to tear in winds of up to 100 miles per hour.
"While this is a great day for Vance AFB and the Airmen who live and work here, it is also a great day for Enid," said Irv Honigsberg, Enid mayor. "This community takes pride in this Air Force base and we also share your accomplishments and achievements," he said.
"Vance AFB just keeps getting better and better," Mayor Honigsberg said.