Danielson assumes command of training wing during virtual ceremony

  • Published
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs

VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Col. Timothy Danielson assumed command of the 71st Flying Training Wing June 29 in the base auditorium.

Col. Corey Simmons relinquished command of the unit during a ceremony officiated by Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, commander of 19th Air Force, Joint Base San Antonio–Randolph, Texas.

Because attendance was limited, the ceremony was live streamed to the “Vance Air Force Base” Facebook page.

Danielson comes to Vance from Pope Army Airfield, N.C., where he served as the 43rd Air Mobility Operations Group commander.

Simmons is heading to Travis Air Force Base, California, where he will be the commander of the 60th Air Mobility Wing, the largest air mobility organization in the U.S. Air Force.

As the 71st FTW commander, Danielson will lead more than 2,700 personnel conducting specialized undergraduate pilot training for more than 400 U.S. Air Force and allied student pilots each year. 

The wing operates more than 220 aircraft, flies more than 49,000 sorties annually and logs more than 71,000 flying hours each year.

Danielson entered the Air Force in February 1998 after receiving his commission through the ROTC program at the University of Alabama. He has been an aircraft commander, instructor, and flight examiner in the C-21, C-130, and the KC-135.

His deployments include service in staff and flying positions in support of operations Southern Watch, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.