Student pilots in Class 25-13 pin on their wings during graduation Aug. 1

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  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Twenty-three students in Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 25-13 received their wings during a ceremony held Aug. 1 at Vance Air Force Base.

The newly pinned pilots completed their initial aviation training at Vance and will continue in either the T-38 Talon here or in their assigned aircraft at their next base.

The graduation speaker at the Class 25-13 ceremony was Air Force Col. Douglas Pruitt, the Division Chief, Reconnaissance Operations, and Deputy Director RPA & Airborne ISR Capabilities, Headquarters Air Force, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.

Pruitt is a command pilot and navigator with more than 3,400 flight hours in the T-43, T-6A, T-1A, C-130 E/H/J, C-17A, RQ-4B and NATO RQ-4D.

Pruitt earned his pilot wings at Vance Air Force Base in 2010.

Class 25-12 award winners were:
2nd Lt. Gretchen Knox received the Academic Award, the Flying Training Award, the Air Education & Training Command Commander’s Trophy and was named a Distinguished Graduate;
Capt. Jared Nash received the Leadership Award and was named a Distinguished Graduate;
Maj. Riley Cannon received the Wingman Award.

Also receiving their pilot wings during the ceremony were:
Capt. Stephen McInnis
1st Lt. Kyle Druzbik
2nd Lt. Kurtz Christner
2nd Lt. William Conrad
2nd Lt. Justin Ellis
2nd Lt. Garrett Fields
2nd Lt. Conrad Glenn
2nd Lt. Johnny Hedrick
2nd Lt. Kurt Herbert
2nd Lt. Kenneth Hoefnagels
2nd Lt. Luke Landkamer
2nd Lt. Jacob Lebovich
2nd Lt. Nils Ljung
2nd Lt. Addison Lutz
2nd Lt. Phillip Meira
2nd Lt. Reagan Rouse
2nd Lt. Robert Salinas
2nd Lt. Nathaniel Seay
2nd Lt. Kevin Soka
2nd Lt. Logan Thornton