Vance Air Force Base, located just south of Enid in north-central Oklahoma, is a vital installation of Air Education and Training Command (AETC) with a singular, critical mission: to produce the world’s finest pilots. As one of three bases conducting Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT), Vance is a fast-paced, high-tempo environment where the foundational skills of military aviation are forged. The base operates a massive number of training sorties each day, making its airspace some of the busiest in the nation.

The host unit, the 71st Flying Training Wing, executes the year-long JSUPT program for student pilots from the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and numerous allied nations. The training pipeline begins with primary academics and flight training in the T-6A Texan II. Upon successful completion, students are selected to “track” to either the T-1A Jayhawk for airlift and tanker assignments or the T-38C Talon for advanced supersonic training for fighter and bomber assignments. This rigorous program transforms aspiring aviators into confident and competent military pilots.

The entire “Team Vance” community, from the dedicated instructor pilots of the 71st Operations Group to the expert maintainers of the 71st Maintenance Directorate, is focused on generating pilots. The constant influx of new students and their graduation a year later creates a continuous cycle of renewal and a dynamic atmosphere across the base. The base enjoys an exceptionally strong and supportive relationship with the city of Enid, which fully embraces its role as a military-friendly community.

Personnel and their families stationed at Vance AFB experience life in a close-knit community characterized by Midwestern values and a shared sense of purpose. While the rural Oklahoma location presents challenges like severe spring weather, it also offers a low cost of living and a family-focused environment. The mission at Vance AFB remains clear: to train world-class pilots, ensuring the future of American airpower.