The 71st Security Forces Squadron commander returned recently from a six-month deployment to Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. read more...

Warning: getimagesize(http://www.vanceairscoop.com/images/uploads/COLBussiere440): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /var/www/domains/emagine/vanceairscoop/feature.php on line 117
The commander of 509th Operations Group at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., will be featured speaker at the graduation ceremony for Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 08-07 at 10 a.m. read more...

Like many of his fellow students at Vance Air Force Base, 2nd Lt. Phillip Savage grew up watching planes fly overhead, dreaming of the day he would be a pilot.
But unlike most of his fellow students, the planes Savage spent his early years watching were from Vance.
Savage was born in Enid and lived here until he was in junior high, when his family moved to Owasso, north of Tulsa. read more...

Warning: getimagesize(http://www.vanceairscoop.com/images/uploads/warriormonth44): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /var/www/domains/emagine/vanceairscoop/feature.php on line 117
Between daily duties as an air traffic controller and volunteering for additional duties as security forces perimeter sentry and hospital assistant, Airman 1st Class Nive Leasiolagi, said this about her deployment to Balad, Iraq, “I just did whatever I could to help.”
Leasiolagi’s willingness to serve is the spirit that makes her such a strong warrior, said her supervisor, Staff Sgt. read more...

A recent change to the relationship between the 71st Security Forces Squadron and the local Air Force Office of Special Investigations detachment is expected to save time and resources while increasing each unit’s ability to better serve the base. read more...

Warning: getimagesize(http://www.vanceairscoop.com/images/uploads/fitzsimmons440): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /var/www/domains/emagine/vanceairscoop/feature.php on line 117
As I write this article, my time both at Vance and with the active Air Force is rapidly coming to a conclusion after more than 21 years. read more...

Lie still, I told myself. Breathe in. Breathe out. Maybe Brad will think you’re asleep and then you can get up and get online.
It wasn’t porn. read more...

Who says there’s no justice in this world? In fact, there’s justice for all who are interested in cross training into the paralegal career field. read more...

Tuesday afternoon brought my final low-level flight. I’d fly the same low level route as my previous low level flight. read more...

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. — Your location on a friend network, a photo on Facebook, a prayer for a deployed family member on a military-based blog — all posted on the World Wide Web with the intent to bring comfort to loved ones and news to friends. read more...

More than 200 special athletes had a special day March 27 at Vance Air Force Base, thanks to nearly as many dedicated volunteers.
The 2008 Area Six Special Olympics attracted some 230 competitors, divided among 14 teams, from Grant, Garfield and Kay counties.
“It’s about the competition and the training for the competition,” said John Seals, Special Olympics Oklahoma area services and sports director. read more...

FORT LEE, Va. — Life in the dorm is not all that bad; often you have a refrigerator and a microwave in your own room along with some of the other comforts of home. read more...

FORT LEE, Va. — The Defense Commissary Agency considers food safety such a priority its 259 stores will be highlighting this message throughout the month of April.
The April campaign is part of DeCA’s yearlong efforts to demonstrate what the commissary does to be a source of safe food, said Rick Page, DeCA acting director and a staunch advocate of food safety throughout his three decades as a military grocer. read more...

Saturday, 7 p.m.

CLOVERFIELD — Five young New Yorkers throw their friend a going-away party the night that a monster the size of a skyscraper descends upon the city. read more...

Inside the Gate

Peoples to retire today
A retirement ceremony for Master Sgt. George Peoples, 71st Comptroller Squadron Financial Analysis Flight NCOIC, takes place at 3:30 p.m. read more...

Warning: getimagesize(http://www.vanceairscoop.com/images/uploads/iraqichild4408): failed to open stream: HTTP request failed! HTTP/1.1 404 Not Found in /var/www/domains/emagine/vanceairscoop/feature.php on line 117
KIRKUK, Iraq — On his way home from working in his family’s field near this Iraqi city, Rahmey didn’t see the hidden improvised explosive device until it was too late.
Staggering for home after the blast, the 13-year-old Iraqi boy had no way to know his life would be saved by the quick, selfless actions of U.S. read more...