Neighbors make good partners Published Dec. 1, 2006 By Col. Bryan Benson 71st Flying Training Wing Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- "Geography has made us neighbors. History has made us friends. Economics has made us partners. And necessity has made us allies. Those whom nature hath so joined together, let no man put asunder." That statement made by the late President John Kennedy, while addressing the Canadian Parliament, is equally appropriate for Vance Air Force Base and our relationship with the city of Enid, America. We are indeed neighbors, friends and allies of our "Partners in the Sky." It's not just a coincidence that every one of the outgoing commanders during this summer's flurry of changes of command praised Enid for being a great neighbor and providing a highlight to their military careers. Some of the base's new leadership joined me Friday night to host local civic leaders at an Enid-Vance Partnership dinner to both thank our community partners for support they have given us in the past and to share with them part of our vision for a continuing partnership in the future. This gave our new leaders an opportunity to become acquainted with many of our downtown leaders. It also helped them fully appreciate why their predecessors would miss the special partnership that exists between the city of Enid and Vance AFB. Maj. Daryl Cunningham, the new 71st Logistics Readiness Squadron commander, knows that this partnership was partly responsible for the new $15.5 million consolidated logistics complex now under construction and slated for completion in March, 2006. CMSgt. Jim Suttles, the new command chief, knows that this partnership helped get the new housing for the base's enlisted force. He'll probably gain an even deeper appreciation next month when his family moves into their brand new house, bringing a total of 54 new units online and occupied. The four new flying squadron commanders know that this partnership helped bring additional aircraft, as well as additional shelters to protect them, to the base. The civic and base leaders both got a glimpse of the $56 million worth of improvements that the partnership was instrumental in bringing to the base and how those improvements will pump $230 million into the local economy. Enid Mayor Ernie Currier said, "Vance always does an outstanding job demonstrating they are appreciative of our efforts on the base's behalf. An event like this just reinforces the relationships we've already established with our military counterpart - those we live next door to and attend church with." Have a safe and enjoyable weekend and don't forget to watch your wingman. Thanks for all you do for America, Team Vance.