Vance Air Force Base

Vance Air Force Base is located in southern Enid, Oklahoma. Construction of the facility began on July 12, 1941, and the base was officially activated on November 21, 1941, as the Air Corps Basic Flying School. The land was leased from the city of Enid to provide a site for pilot training. In 1942, the installation was named Enid Army Flying School, also known as Woodring Field. The base was deactivated in January 1947 but reactivated in August 1948 as Enid Air Force Base. On July 9, 1949, the facility was renamed Vance Air Force Base in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Leon Vance, an Enid native and Medal of Honor recipient.

The installation is operated by the United States Air Force under the Air Education and Training Command. The 71st Flying Training Wing serves as the host unit. Subordinate components include the 71st Operations Group, 71st Mission Support Group, and 71st Medical Group. Flying operations are conducted by several units, including the 3rd Flying Training Squadron, 8th Flying Training Squadron, 25th Flying Training Squadron, and 33rd Flying Training Squadron. Additionally, the 5th Flying Training Squadron of the Air Force Reserve Command is stationed at the base as a geographically separate unit.

The primary mission at Vance Air Force Base is the training of pilots for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied forces. The base utilizes T-6A Texan II, T-38C Talon, and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft to support the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training curriculum. Joint training with the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps has been conducted at the base since 1996. Operations are supported by the 71st Operations Support Squadron and the 71st Student Squadron. The wing also utilizes Kegelman Air Force Auxiliary Field, located near Cherokee, Oklahoma, for student practice of flight patterns and landings. The base includes an air park located near the main gate.