Former VAFB commander speaks at ORI out brief Published Dec. 4, 2006 By Staff Sgt. Amanda Mills Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Maj. Gen. Edward "Buster" Ellis, 19th Air Force commander, visited Vance Air Force Base to speak at the Operational Readiness Inspection out brief Tuesday. "Today's results were outstanding, even though the overall rating was 'Excellent,'" the former 71st Flying Training Wing commander said. As the numbered Air Force commander over Team Vance, General Ellis said he always comes out interested in making sure the mission is being accomplished and the resources and people are being treated properly. "When you get an out brief like the one given today, it's very gratifying to know that people are out here taking care of the mission and taking care of the people and resources that get the mission done," he said. "You know right away that it took a lot of hard work, a lot of long hours and a lot of self-initiated leave canceling to stay and make sure everything was done the way it needed to be done to give an inspector the proper impression of the people and the mission," the general said. "I have a lot of pride that that's the kind of Air Force I'm in, a lot of pride that's the kind of 19th Air Force I'm in and a lot of pride that's the kind of 71st FTW legacy that still exists at Vance AFB." General Ellis commanded the wing from July 1995 to February 1997. This was his last visit on active duty before he retires in January. "Coming back brought back a rush of memories because about 10 years ago ... in one of the hangars down the flightline, I did my change of command and took over as the wing commander," General Ellis said. "At that point I can still remember driving on base and thinking 'Gosh, what a beautiful little base,' and then as I worked on base with the people, did the mission, day in and day out - you just get a real unique sense of pride that certainly the civilian contractors have in the base, pride that the citizens of Enid and Oklahoma have in the base, and that how it also translated into a lot of professionalism on the part of the uniform-wearing personnel ... who chose to serve their country by service in the United States Air Force, who were here either as instructors, permanent party or trainees," he said. "As much as I think the base looks really good, my memories ... are of great people here at that time wearing the uniform, and great people, some of whom are still here, working as contractors. A lot of great memories." The general also visited Team Vance in 2004 and noted the changes from the last year. "The (Elam) road is finished; it was all torn up then," he said. "That and the housing units being turned over to the Air Force. That has been a great improvement and ... as they replace more houses it will be an even greater improvement in the quality of life for the people who live here. I think it's already pretty good now because you get to live in Enid, Okla., which is a wonderful city and a wonderful host ... for Vance AFB, but it gets better when you get to supply good Airmen with good quality family housing." General Ellis thanked those from his past before departing. "For those people that were here when Sydney and I were here, thank you for being a wonderful part of our memories of our time in the Air Force."