Lt. Gen. David Nichols received his pilot training at Vance Air Force Base. After earning his wings in April 1960, he remained at Vance as a First Assignment Instructor Pilot. Nichols' Air Force career included leading the Alaskan Air Command and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where he also commanded Joint Task Force Alaska. (Courtesy photo)