Learning to become a military pilot is tough.
There are academics and morning standups, egress training and the altitude chamber, sims and the rigors of coping with the demands of instructor pilots and all the traffic in the pattern.
Every year hundreds of young men and women leave their homes and move to Enid to spent 13 months enduring the rigors of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training to become military pilots at Vance Air Force Base.
For most the move brings them here from another state, another region, another time zone.
For some, trying to go from pedestrian to pilot brings them here from another continent.
Currently there are five international students at Vance, from Portugal, Poland and Qatar.
The two Portuguese students, 2nd Lt. read more...

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Anyone who has ever deployed knows how difficult “getting out of town” can be. Stacks of paperwork, tons of training and countless trips across the base over several weeks can be challenging for airmen warriors who have enough stress on their plates as it is. read more...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AFPN) —An Air Force unmanned aerial vehicle observed a group of criminals with weapons attacking Iraqi security and coalition forces with small-arms fire Wednesday in northeast Baghdad. read more...

When it comes to people programs, community support and quality of life, there now is one organization on base that will handle it all — 71st Force Support Squadron. read more...

People may see more Air Force uniforms traveling on the road and commercial flights due to a change in policy allowing airmen to wear uniforms while traveling in official capacities within the continental United States. read more...

It has been almost 60 years since President Truman signed Executive Order 9981 that led to the integration of the Armed Forces. read more...

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My husband took one look at the reduced-fat Oreos in the cabinet and remarked: “Let me guess — you had a coupon.”
Indeed, I did. read more...

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A member of Team Vance will represent Enid and Vance Air Force Base tonight and Saturday as she competes for the title of Mrs. read more...

My week began with a formation flight on Monday. Flying in fingertip continued to go well. I focused on my visual references and stayed in position. read more...

Five members of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 08-07 were honored April 4 during the class graduation dinner.
In the T-1 track, Navy Lt. read more...

A March 11 incident in which a T-38 ran off the runway at Vance Air Force Base has been classified by investigators as a Class B mishap.
The T-38C, with two instructor pilots aboard, ran off the runway on takeoff, damaging the jet and a runway visual approach light. read more...

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A 4-foot tall American Elm sapling was center stage at Vance Air Force Base, where it was planted across from the Vance Visitor Center parking lot April 4.
The sapling was brought from the Oklahoma City National Memorial to Vance as a foot-tall seedling last April, but has been grown and cared for by Camille Cohlmia, 9, and Kim Winfield, coordinator of the school age program here. read more...

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COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. —After 39 years of service as the gateway to the sky for more than 10,000 Columbus AFB-based Air Force aviators, the T-37B Tweet formally retired Thursday from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. read more...

An Air Force Academy representative will give briefings to anyone who would like to send their sons or daughters to the Air Force Academy.
2nd Lt. read more...

Vance Commissary customers can expect an improved level of service when they pay for their groceries, store officials said. read more...

A Focus 5/6 meeting takes place at 3:30 p.m. today in the Enlisted Lounge of the Vance Collocated Club.
The professional development session will be conducted by Angel Dominguez with the Airman and Family Readiness Center. read more...

The 2008 Team Vance Air Force Assistance Fund kicked off March 19 and continues until April 29, and the base is working hard to meet its goal of raising money to help others.
This year’s AFAF campaign provides airmen the opportunity to contribute to any of four official Air Force charitable organizations, and all contributions will benefit active-duty, Reserve, Guard, retired Air Force people, surviving spouses and families. read more...

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MELBOURNE, Fla. (AFPN) — A recruiter’s former life as an Air Force “cop” helped him save the life of a Miami shooting victim recently. read more...

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PUEBLO, Colo. (AFPN) —The road to becoming an Air Force pilot begins in Pueblo, Colo., where the Air Force has charged Doss Aviation, a contractor, to provide an Initial Flight Screening course under Air Education and Training Command. read more...

WASHINGTON (AFPN) — As a means of combating identity theft, the Defense Department will issue identification cards without full Social Security numbers printed on them, an official said recently.
The Defense Department cares about protecting personal information as well as increasing database security, said Mary Dixon, director of the Defense Manpower Data Center based in Arlington, Va. read more...

Saturday, 7 p.m.

RAMBO — John Rambo has retreated to northern Thailand, living a solitary and peaceful life in the mountains and jungles. read more...

FORT LEE, Va. — Earth Day takes place April 22, but the Defense Commissary Agency started early by flipping the switch on its first “solar powered” commissary Monday at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif. read more...

RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) — The Air Force has a new Web site just for its retiree community that is full of news and information, plus it is easy to access and navigate. read more...

TOP PICK

Sweet Misery
Gaslight Theatre, 221 N. Independence, presents Stephen King’s “Misery” at 8 tonight and Saturday. read more...