Summer means changes in Team Vance

  • Published
  • By Col. Bryan Benson
  • 71st Flying Training Wing
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  I don't need a thermometer or calendar to tell June has arrived at Vance Air Force Base. A quick glance at my schedule and I can see the only thing rising faster than the temperature in Oklahoma is the number of people leaving the area.
This month alone there will be six squadron changes of command. That's in addition to the 25th Flying Training Squadron's ceremony late last month and the departure today of Col. Wade Johnson, the wing's Vice Commander. And those are only the changes in the wing leadership.
Furthermore there will be another 143 people departing for new assignments this month. That's a noticeable part of Team Vance that is turning over and July changes of assignments typically are as high as June's. This means when the Operational Readiness Inspection team arrives in August, as many as 20 percent of the people welcoming them will be new.
Those leaving have a responsibility to ensure their continuity binders are current and ready for their replacement. Those remaining as well as the replacements have a responsibility to ask the hard penetrating questions to ensure continuity of operations. We must ensure our processes don't suffer with the departure of a single individual.
Don't wait until after the farewell to ask questions. Given the current manning situations, there may be no overlap with replacements. Someone will have to pick up the slack until the 'newbie' is onboard and that someone very likely is you. The more you know about each other's duties, the better position you'll be in to pass on that knowledge to the replacement once he or she is settled in.
The team members change, but the mission doesn't. Everyone on Team Vance has shown time and again we excel in meeting mission needs and requirements. I'm confident we will continue to excel even as we see a change in our experience base.
I'd also like to congratulate all of the participants in last weekend's Vance Duathalon. I encourage every Vance member to go out and participate in one of the great weekend events that are offered by our Fitness Center and staff this summer.
Take care of each other, use your wingman and I'll see you back here Monday morning. Have a great and safe weekend Team Vance.