Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, visited Vance Air Force Base (AFB) in Enid, Oklahoma. Mullin’s visit to Vance AFB marks his fourth military base visit of his first inaugural tour as a U.S. Senator, which began last week in the Oklahoma Panhandle.

While at Vance AFB, Senator Mullin toured the Air Traffic Control Tower, visited the 33^rd Flying Training Squadron, and reviewed Advanced Air Mobility Simulators. Vance AFB is the premier venue for undergraduate training for over 300 U.S. Air Force and Allied student pilots each year.

“The 71^st Flying Training Wing delivers resilient, mission-ready pilots for worldwide deployment and Aerospace Expeditionary Force Support,” said Senator Mullin. “Under Commander Col. Jay Johnson, Vance AFB transforms capable students into world-class pilots for front-line air mobility aircraft, bombers, and fighters. As the sole Oklahoman on the Senate Armed Services Committee, I am especially grateful for the opportunity to visit our elite military installations and meet with Base leadership to discuss how we can best support our nation’s Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, and their families.”

During the visit, Senator Mullin met with Vance AFB leadership: Col. Jay Johnson, Commander, 71st Flying Training Wing (FTW); Col. Paul Miller, Commander, 71st Mission Support Group, 71st FTW; and Col. Matthew Astroth, Vice Wing Commander of the 71st FTW.

Background:

Yesterday, Senator Mullin visited Tinker AFB to receive a mission brief on military construction (MILCON), and operations updates on the TACAMO/E-6B squadron, E-3, KC-135 and KC-46.

Last week, Senator Mullin visited Fort Sill to receive an operations overview of the Field Artillery School from Col. John Barefield and Col. Curtis King, Commandant of the Air Defense Artillery. The Senator spoke with Base leaders about fleet expansion, modernization, training Ukrainian forces, and the future of Fort Sill. 

He also toured Altus AFB, where he met with Vice Commander Col. Patrick Brady-Lee of the 97^th Air Mobility Wing for a briefing and tour of a KC-46. The Senator learned about how Altus AFB has become the premier installation for producing the world’s most inspired, proficient, and adaptive mobility warriors to deliver airpower for America.