Oklahoma citizens tour other AF bases Published Nov. 20, 2006 By Capt. Tony Wickman Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- A group of Enid and Northwestern Oklahoma civilian business professionals, educators and politicians embarked Monday on a two-day trip meant to familiarize them with a larger view of the Air Education and Training Command and Air Force missions. The Vance Air Force Base community relations tour began early Monday morning with the group of 26 people boarding a KC-135 Stratotanker from the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus Air Force Base, Okla., and headed to Maxwell AFB, Ala., and Tyndall AFB, Fla., before returning Tuesday night. According to Col. Bryan Benson, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, the tour was a venue to help educate members of the community on military issues and give them exposure to the larger Air Force picture. "The idea of these trips is to get you away from the local installation and try to expand your horizons on what the rest of the Air Force, or part of the Air Force, is doing," said Colonel Benson to the group upon their return. "You got to see some of our education and training facilities, some of our flying facilities and our newest airplane. Most importantly you met with the quality people who are out there doing the job." The group first visited Air University at Maxwell AFB, followed by meeting with the Air Force Officer Accession and Training command staff. A highlight to the event was eating with trainees currently in the Air Force Officer Training School pipeline, including a few trainees slated to come to Vance as student pilots. After lunch, the attendees received a lecture on the current U.S. national security strategy, participated in a wargaming exercise at the Center for Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education, and visited the AU television production studios. The guests concluded the evening by dining with the Air University commander and staff and Montgomery-area civic leaders at the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, and by touring of the Enlisted Heritage Hall at Gunter AFB, Ala. The next day the group traveled to Tyndall AFB for a glimpse at the newest airplane in the Air Force ... the F-22A Raptor. On the way to the base, the group was able to witness an aerial refueling of a B-52H Stratofortress. At Tyndall, the group received the 325th Fighter Wing and Raptor mission briefings and watched F-22A sortie launches. The group was then given a close-up tour by pilots and aircraft and munitions maintainers of the stealthy airplane. To round out the day, the group was taken to Air Force North, the Air Force component to U.S. Northern Command, and given an overview of the 1st Air Force mission. The biggest function of the organization is being the Continental U.S. Region headquarters for the bi-national North American Aerospace Defense command and executing the Operation Noble Eagle air sovereignty mission. The group returned aboard the KC-135 with a newfound appreciation for the Air Force and its people. Dr. Steve Lohmann, vice president of academic affairs at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, thought the trip was fantastic and increased his understanding of how important Vance is to the Air Force. "I found Air University to be really impressive. I had heard about it, but until I got there and saw some of the course work they do there I didn't fully understand the training officers went through," said Dr. Lohmann, a first-time tour attendee. "Going to Tyndall and visiting not only the pilots but the air security system let you know just how important the protection of our country is and what goes into it." It was a sentiment echoed by Oklahoma state senator Patrick Anderson. "The trip has given me the opportunity to see where our pilots who are being trained at Vance are progressing toward and where they are headed when they leave our base," said the senator. "It really brought home how important Vance AFB is for our nation's Air Force in developing pilots to go on to defend our country and defend freedom around the world." Eisenhower Elementary School principal Polly Maxwell, another first-time attendee, said the trip benefited her, particularly when she visits with students and parents. "I will have a better understanding of what families are doing so I can better support the families of students at Eisenhower," said Mrs. Maxwell. "It also increased my understanding of the military nationally rather than just here at here Vance, and how Vance interfaces with the other bases." Mrs. Maxwell said the biggest thing she was taking away from the trip was the way she was treated. "I was treated like a dignitary and that kind of treatment is long remembered after buildings and missions are gone," she said. Enid Mayor Ernie Currier thought the trip gave the group the ability to see what some of the other commands do in relationship to what Vance does and gave people a whole new appreciation for Vance and for the instructors and students. "Knowing these pilots we train here every day go off and take on these other tasks and assignments really ties it all together," said the mayor. When asked if he would recommend the trip to someone he knew if they were invited, Senator Anderson said, "I encourage everyone to participate if they're able to go on trips similar to this. It makes you proud as an American and opens your mind to how important and impressive our armed services are." Colonel Benson's parting words to the group were equal parts thanks and request for support. "If you keep all this to yourself, it was kind of a lost trip. You have some personal experiences, but we are hoping you will go out and spread the word of what you saw and more importantly what the youth of America's Air Force are doing every day," said Colonel Benson. "Keep doing what you are doing for Vance and America."