ORI team -- we're ready

  • Published
  • By Col. Bryan Benson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  It's time! On behalf of Team Vance, I'd like to welcome Col.Victor Hnatiuk and the Air Education and Training Command Operational Readiness Inspection team to Enid, America.
If you don't already know why we call it Enid, America, I guarantee you will when you leave.
We're happy to have you here at our not-so-little home on the prairie. Last week I told my team to be ready to strut their stuff and that's exactly what you'll see. The best AETC has to offer is right here at Vance Air Force Base.
You encountered some of them when you first arrived -- our volunteer, yes volunteer, baggage crew and escort detail that took time out from their weekend to ensure your team and all their baggage got properly settled in. Earlier this week, the 71st Operations Group showed your inspectors we are safely and effectively accomplishing our mission of training the world's best military pilots as the Air Force's finest instructor pilots performed flawless check rides.
And all that professionalism was demonstrated before you even start the "official" inspection Monday. I know your team will present challenges for us all week. Our team is not only prepared to meet those challenges, we welcome the opportunity to show off the attitude, morale and sense of urgency we bring to our jobs on a daily basis. But I'll let the performance of Team Vance speak for itself during your inspection.
Unfortunately, the ORI team won't have an opportunity to witness the unique interaction we have with the city of Enid throughout the year. You won't have the opportunity to see our volunteers help build houses for local Habitat for Humanity projects or see the base host the regional Special Olympics.
You'll barely get a glimpse of the tremendous support we receive from Enid -- things like being the first city in the country to join the Defense Department's 'America Supports You' program, or the tuition assistance they provide military members, or the consistent and positive coverage by local newspaper, radio and television outlets, or how landlords hold apartments for incoming servicemembers ... the list goes on endlessly.
You would have to stay a little longer to truly understand why senior wing leaders say the cooperation between the base and the city is the best they've witnessed in their careers and why this is their best assignment. You will, however, leave here knowing Team Vance is more than ready, willing and able to support its day-to-day mission, as well as its wartime mission, with pride and professionalism. You'll also know why I say I have the privilege to command the most outstanding flying training wing in the world!