Premier Air Force pilot training base in Oklahoma.
Opened
1941
Location
Enid, United States
Vance Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located near Enid, Oklahoma. It serves as one of the primary undergraduate pilot training bases in the Air Force, operated under Air Education and Training Command (AETC). The base hosts the 71st Flying Training Wing, which is responsible for producing the majority of USAF pilots.
The base uses the IATA code END and ICAO code KEND, and while it has a military airfield, it does not serve commercial passenger traffic. Training aircraft such as the T-6A Texan II and T-38 Talon are commonly operated from the installation.
Vance AFB has a significant economic and cultural impact on the Enid community, serving as one of the largest employers in northwest Oklahoma. The base is named after Lieutenant Colonel Leon R. Vance Jr., a Medal of Honor recipient from World War II who was born in Enid.
Getting to & from
The base is accessible primarily by private vehicle or taxi from Enid, with no dedicated public transit service to the installation.
Notable facts
- ›Named after Medal of Honor recipient Lt. Col. Leon R. Vance Jr., a native of Enid, Oklahoma.
- ›Home to the 71st Flying Training Wing under Air Education and Training Command.
- ›Operates T-6A Texan II and T-38 Talon aircraft for undergraduate pilot training.
- ›One of the largest employers in northwest Oklahoma.
- ›Established in 1941 as a World War II-era Army Air Forces training facility.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
