Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. – General Mike Minihan, Commander, Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, visited Vance Air Force Base on August 25-26.
Minihan was a guest speaker in the Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 22-14AU, commenting on how airmanship impacted his career and how today’s students are building the future.
In his speech, he spotlighted one of the executive officers in attendance, Major Courtney Bid, a Vance alumnus and First Mission Instructor Pilot who played a pivotal role in the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. rice field.
“Your actions matter. You’ll deliver lethality and hope, sometimes in the same day,” says Minihan. “Major Vitt and her actions in Kabul are one example. She is a true American hero and a role model for her.”
He closed his remarks by addressing the graduates. “I don’t remember who the graduation speaker was, but I do remember all the pilots, my classmates and instructors. We created a bond that will never be forgotten.”
After graduation, Minihan met with local civic leaders in Enid, Oklahoma to discuss Vance’s unique relationship with the surrounding community.
Enid Mayor George Pankonin said, “It’s always nice to see senior leaders visiting Bunce and seeing the great things they’re doing.” It’s the best point ever.”
After lunch, Colonel Jay Johnson, commander of the 71st Flight Training Wing, toured the base with Minihan, focusing on supporting Team Vance’s airborne missions.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to demonstrate how Vance Airmen is leading the transformation of undergraduate pilot training,” said Johnson. “AMC sends us the majority of our instructors, and two-thirds of his graduates go to mobility aircraft. Critical to the success of the Air Force. Overall.”
Minihan awarded four outstanding performers. John Magus, Turner Howe, Adam Payne. The aviator was Vance’s high-time his flier, recording the most flying hours for the squadron in the last three months.
He was then briefed on the next step in the Air Force’s upgraded student pilot training: Air Mobility Fundamentals – Simulators. The AFM-S program will be piloted at Vance Air Force Base beginning January 2023.
The visit concluded with a hands-on demonstration of Vance’s flagship Aircrew Flying Training Human Performance Lab, as well as the Common Immersive Training Device currently in use by student pilots as part of the College Pilot Training 2.5 curriculum. .
“This is my first time back at UPT base since I graduated in 1991,” says Minihan. “But we never forgot that it takes a collective effort to get these young men and women out there. It’s great to be with people who really love aviation.”
