VANCE AFB
AIR FORCE
Enid, OK
United States
VANCE AFB
AIR FORCE
Enid, OK
United States
Vance AFB
Base Essentials
A pilot training base in Enid, OK — Vance trains the next generation of Air Force aviators in a small Oklahoma city with very low cost of living and a tight, aviation-centered community.
Base Details
Type
Air Force Base
Branch
AIR FORCE
Command
AETC
Status
Active
Est.
1941
Acres
3,200
Active Duty
1,500
Civilian
600
Population
60,000
Economic Impact
$400 million
Vance AFB History
Named AfterLieutenant Colonel Leon Robert Vance Jr. (Medal of Honor)
Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Oklahoma, was established in 1941 and is one of the Air Force's primary undergraduate pilot training bases. Named after Medal of Honor recipient Lieutenant Colonel Leon Vance Jr., it is home to the 71st Flying Training Wing, which produces hundreds of pilots annually using the T-6A Texan II and T-38C Talon. Vance has trained military aviators for over 80 years and continues to be a cornerstone of the Air Force's pilot production pipeline.
Units Stationed
Unit
Nickname
Type
71st Flying Training Wing
—
—
Historic Timeline
1941
Established as Enid Army Flying School
1949
Designated Undergraduate Pilot Training Base
—
View Key Moments
(2)
1941
Established as Enid Army Flying School
The installation opened in 1941 as Enid Army Flying School, one of many WWII primary flight training bases established across Oklahoma. It was redesignated Vance Air Force Base in 1949 in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Leon Robert Vance Jr., a Enid native who received the Medal of Honor for leading a badly damaged B-24 to a safe water landing in 1944.
1949
Designated Undergraduate Pilot Training Base
Vance was permanently designated as an undergraduate pilot training base in 1949 and has trained Air Force pilots continuously ever since. The 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance has graduated thousands of pilots who have served across all eras of Air Force aviation.
Phone Directory
Key phone numbers for Vance AFB.
Vance AFB Base Gates
Entry points, hours, and access requirements for Vance AFB.
Gate hours can change suddenly during special exercises, holidays, and operational periods. We always recommend confirming details before you travel.
Latest News
Recent articles and updates from Vance AFB.
Education
Vance AFB Families Could See New Elementary School Thanks to a $22 Million DoD Grant
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Information
History
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Military News
NAVSEA, NAVAIR, NAVFAC join forces to support STEM education, participate in Tri-Warfare Center Middle School Engineering Challenge
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Information
Housing
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Information
Vance Air Force Base
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PCS & Newcomers
Everything you need to know for your move to Vance AFB.
Welcome center hours and contact details can change. We recommend confirming before you visit or call.
71st Force Support Squadron — Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC)
In-Processing
Personnel arriving at Vance AFB report to their unit's Commander Support Staff during duty hours. The CSS schedules all mandatory appointments including Finance, Medical, and the mandatory Newcomer's Orientation. After-hours arrivals report to the Sooner Inn on-base lodging, the 24/7 arrival point.
All permanent-party members attend the mandatory Newcomer's Orientation covering the 71st Flying Training Wing's UPT mission, base services, and Enid, Oklahoma area community resources. Vance is a small, tight-knit pilot training base with a strong sense of community among students, instructors, and support personnel.
Vance AFB is one of the Air Force's three primary pilot training bases, home to the 71st Flying Training Wing and conducting Undergraduate Pilot Training (T-6A Texan II, T-38C Talon). Located in Enid, Oklahoma — a small, highly military-supportive city — the area offers an extremely low cost of living and easy access to Oklahoma City (about 90 miles south).
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Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Open PCS Checklist (14 Items)
Trusted Base Intel. Since 1966.
Join 200,000+ personnel for base news, PCS tips, exclusive discounts, and critical benefits info.
Always free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Sponsor Program Information
Temporary Lodging Details
Housing & BAH
On-post housing, cost of living, and BAH info for Vance AFB.
On-post family housing at Vance AFB is managed by Balfour Beatty Communities. The on-post neighborhoods offer 2–4 bedroom homes; Vance's location adjacent to Enid means off-post options in the city are also convenient and reasonably priced. Vance AFB is located adjacent to Enid, Oklahoma — a small agricultural and oil-industry city of approximately 48,000 in northwe…
Local Market
$1,000/mo
rent
/
$185,000
avg. home
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Cost of Living Around Vance AFB
78
22% Below National Average
Housing
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Schools & Education
K-12 schools, colleges, and education resources near Vance AFB.
School Liaison Officer
Coming soon
1
Middle Schools
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1
High Schools
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Education Benefits
Check Your GI Bill Eligibility
Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, and more.
Where To Live
Vance AFB is a pilot training base in Enid, OK — a small city of ~50,000. Virtually all military families live in Enid since it's the only real option. Enid is affordable, tight-knit, and has everything a small city needs, but limited dining and nightlife options.
Enid / Northwest Side
Small Town
The northwest quadrant of Enid near Vance is the primary area for military families — newer subdivisions like Meadowbrook, Quail Ridge, and neighborhoods along Owen K. Garriott Road. Close to the base and Enid's main shopping corridor.
Commute: 5–15 min
Schools: Enid Public Schools
Families with kids
Single service members
Budget-friendly
Extremely affordable, very short commute, friendly community
Enid / Southeast Side
Small Town
The older, more established part of Enid with larger lots and mature trees. Slightly longer commute but some of Enid's nicest older homes. The Historic Downtown district is walkable for dining and community events.
Commute: 10–20 min
Schools: Enid Public Schools
Families with kids
Retirees
Pet owners
Larger lots, mature trees, Enid's most established neighborhoods
Taxes & Finance
State tax policy and financial info for service members at Vance AFB.
State Income Tax
Has state income tax
Military Pay
Fully exempt
Retirement Pay
Fully exempt
Vehicle Tax Exempt
No
Military Pay Details
Oklahoma fully exempts active duty military pay from Oklahoma income tax for Oklahoma legal residents. Oklahoma National…
Spouse Income Tax
Under MSRRA, military spouses may maintain their legal domicile outside Oklahoma for Oklahoma income tax purposes. A qua…
Vehicle Registration
Oklahoma charges a motor vehicle excise tax on vehicle purchases (3.25% for new vehicles). Military members who are not…
Property Tax
Oklahoma has some of the lowest property tax rates in the nation. Jackson County (Altus AFB), Oklahoma County (Tinker AF…
Pet Policies at Vance AFB
Pet policies, vet services, and resources at Vance AFB.
Emergency Vet
Coming soon
On-Base Vet Clinic
Coming soon
Restricted Breeds
8
Prohibited Animals
4
Dog Parks
—
Boarding & Kennels
—
Pet Guidance
2
Max Pets
Facilities & Services
On-base services and facilities at Vance AFB.
Commissary
1
Vance AFB Commissary
Exchange
BX
Mon–Thu 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sun 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Medical
1
71st Medical Group Clinic — Clinic
Childcare & Youth
CDC Available
MWR & Recreation
1
Fitness Center
Employment & Education
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vance AFB.
01
What are the visitor gate hours?
Hairston Gate (Main Gate) is the main visitor access gate and is open 24 hours a day. Other gates are restricted to military and DoD ID holders — see the Gates section for full schedules.
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02
How do visitor passes work?
Visitors must be sponsored by someone with base access and should contact the installation's Visitor Control Center in advance with their government-issued ID and vehicle info. Day passes are issued at the gate; extended access may require additional coordination.
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03
What is BAH and how is it calculated?
BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) is a monthly stipend based on your pay grade, dependency status, and the duty station ZIP code — it is not counted as taxable income. Rates are updated each January; use the BAH Calculator in the Finance section to see current figures for Vance AFB.
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04
What should I do first after receiving PCS orders?
Contact the gaining installation's housing office and military transportation office (TMO/PPSO) immediately after orders are issued. Apply for on-base housing right away — waitlists at many installations run 6–18 months.
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05
Does TRICARE cover local providers?
TRICARE covers both the on-base military treatment facility and authorized civilian providers in the surrounding community. Use the provider finder at tricare.mil to confirm in-network options near Vance AFB.
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Data & Methodology
How we source this −
Information is compiled from DoD publications, official installation websites, and reviewed by military personnel. Independent publication — not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense.