Sort By

Proud moment on the flightline

Pinning wings

230929-F-QY777-1866

A T-6A Texan II taxis down the flight line during Surge Week at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Sept. 29, 2023. The T-6 is a training aircraft utilized by U.S. Air Force pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keira Rossman)

Details Download

Remembering those unable to attend

The Prisoner of War/ Missing in Action ceremony was presented by Silver Talon Honor Guard member, Airman 1st Class Carmen Hernandez, during the Vance Air Force 76th Birthday Ball held Saturday, Sept. 23, in Enid, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Kathy Duran)

Details Download

Kid Governor's support crew

Oklahoma's Kid Governor for 2023, Mila O'Brien, center, is surrounded by, from left to right, her dad, Phillip O’Brien, mom, Courtney O’Brien, grandmother, Lynda O’Brien, and grandfather, Michael O’Brien. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Christian Soto)

Details Download

Not forgotten

Senior Airman Gabriel Santiago participates in 24-hour ruck march at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, Sept. 15. The 24-hour ruck march was in honor of National POW/MIA Recognition Day. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Christian Soto)

Details Download

Family pride

One of the 25 student pilots with Class 23-14 gets a family-proud hug following graduation Sept. 15 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Graduation speaker -- retired Brig Gen Jason Cripps

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Cripps addresses students and family during the Class 23-14 graduation ceremony held Sept. 15 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Pinning the new wings

A new Air Force pilot's first wings are pinned on by someone very important in their life. A member of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-14 continues that tradition following the graduation ceremony held Sept. 15 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Five decades as a maintainer

Terry Long, the branch manager for the T-6A Texan II, retired after 50 years of maintaining aircraft at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Airman 1st Class Christopher Ornelas Jr.)

Details Download

Patricia White -- Vance's first black female graduate

Patricia White, left, was the first black female to graduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and the first black female Air Force Academy graduate to complete pilot training. 1st Lt. Pete Hargrove, right, pins on White's pilot wings after the graduation ceremony for Class 87-06. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Details Download

Colonel Nekitha M. Little

Commander, 71st Mission Support Group, 71st Flying Training Wing, Vance Air Force Base, Okla.

Details Download

Pinning the wings

When a new Air Force pilot receives the first set of wings, tradition calls for an important person in the pilot's life to pin the wings on their uniform. A member of Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-13 continues that tradition Aug. 4, at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Sharing thoughts with the new pilots

Col. John Masterson, the 97th Operations Group commander at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, was the guest speaker at the Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-13 graduation ceremony held Aug. 4, at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Sharing a proud moment

A new Air Force pilot shares a proud moment following the graduation ceremony for Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-13, Aug. 4, at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Balancing Faith and Academia: Lt. Col. Duane McCrory’s Story

Lt. Col Duane McCrory poses for an environmental photo at the base chapel at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., July 25. McCrory, who is is in puruit of his Ph.D., is the wing chaplain at Vance Air Force Base. (U.S. Air Force photo Senior Airman Christian Soto)

Details Download

Fighter Bomber Fundamentals at Columbus

Columbus aircraft

Details Download

Favorite instructor pilot

Now Capt. Colton Fisher, right, is presented the Favorite Instructor Pilot award by Col. Charles Throckmorton IV, 71st Flying Training Wing commander, during the Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-12 graduation ceremony, July 14, at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. The award winner was selected by the students in Class 23-12. Fisher is an IP with the 33rd Flying Training Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Greeting family and friends

The Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-12 is presented to family and friends during the graduation ceremony held July 14 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. Twenty-one new pilots received their wings. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

Pinning the new wings

A special moment following the Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-12 graduation ceremony held July 14 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is when a family member pins the new Air Force pilot's wings on their uniform. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download

With eyes to the future

Every Undergraduate Pilot Training class graduation is a family affair, especially for those wearing an extra-extra small flight suit. Twenty-one members of UPT Class 23-12 graduated July 14 at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Sarah Smith)

Details Download