Vance Air Force Base, a hub of aviation excellence, witnessed a momentous occasion on October 6, 2023, as 22 aspiring aviators from Undergraduate Pilot Training Class 23-15 received their wings. The ceremony, held under clear Oklahoman skies, marked the culmination of their rigorous training journey and the beginning of their promising careers.
Photo: USAF
These determined individuals had embarked on their aviation adventure, initially honing their skills in the venerable T-6A Texan II aircraft. As they donned their well-earned wings, their paths diverged, with some transitioning to the T-1A Jayhawk and others to the T-38C Talon training aircraft, both of which play pivotal roles in advanced pilot training at Vance.
Brig. Gen. David Unruh, the Assistant Adjutant General for Air in the Oregon Air National Guard, graced the occasion as the guest speaker. Unruh, a distinguished pilot with 3,400 flying hours in the F-15 Eagle and the T-38, received his Air Force pilot wings following Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance in April 2002. His presence underscored the significance of this ceremony and served as a testament to the legacy of excellence cultivated at Vance Air Force Base.
Among the exceptional graduates, Capt. Zheng Qi Ong from Singapore shone brightly as he received a plethora of awards. Capt. Ong’s achievements included the Academic Award, the Flying Training Award, and the prestigious Air Education & Training Command Commander’s Trophy. Moreover, his outstanding performance earned him the title of Distinguished Graduate, a distinction reserved for the best of the best.
The journey to this momentous day was arduous. Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training, which Class 23-15 undertook, consists of three rigorous phases: Academic/Ground Training, Primary Flying Training, and Advanced Flying Training.
In the Primary Flying Training phase, students master the fundamental principles of flight, essential for safely operating any U.S. Air Force aircraft. This phase lays the groundwork for their future roles as military officers and leaders.
Following this primary phase, trainee pilots are carefully selected for one of three advanced training tracks, depending on the needs of the Air Force and their class standing. Those destined for airlift and tanker roles embark on the airlift/tanker track, where they receive intensive instruction in the T-1 Jayhawk. On the other hand, aspiring bomber or fighter pilots journey down the bomber/fighter track, soaring through the skies in the T-38.
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