Vance Air Force Base Gets New Training Squadron

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- The first three members of what will be the newest squadron at Vance Air Force Base have arrived and are preparing for its imminent establishment.<br/><br/>The base, one of the Air

Monday, February 26th 2007, 6:10 am

By: News On 6

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- The first three members of what will be the newest squadron at Vance Air Force Base have arrived and are preparing for its imminent establishment.

The base, one of the Air Force's traditional homes for flying training squadrons, will add the 3rd Fighter Training Squadron this spring.

The squadron's three initial members include a detachment commander and the detachment's operations officer.

Lieutenant Colonel Tom Tyson will be the squadron commander.

When the squadron is fully staffed, it will include about 18 active-duty and five reserve instructor pilots. About 30 people will be associated with the squadron.

The new squadron's advanced instruction will include the teaching of what is known as Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals, or IFF.

IFF training has been conducted in the past at bases in Texas and Georgia. But because of a recommendation by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, part of the IFF training from one of the Texas bases is moving to Vance.