ENID, OK - Friday was a big day in Enid, Oklahoma. The city was full of dignitaries and many of our local leaders were on hand to witness the State of the Base address followed by the State of the City address.
The State of the Base address took place at Autry Technology Center and featured Col. Jay Johnson, commander of the 71st Flying Training Wing at Vance. Sen. Markwayne Mullin and Congressman Frank Lucas opened the event talking about strong relationships between elected officials and military leaders in Washington.
In his opening statements, Col. Johnson reminded the audience that since 1941 Vance has delivered over 35,000 world class pilots to defend our nation. That is the core of what Vance does and we now train pilots from 11 different nations here.
The mission at Vance includes building a culture based on heritage, professionalism, dignity and respect. They are also building more support for families. The Vance Spouses Club gave out over $19,000 in scholarships. 104 personnel deployed to 17 locations in 2022 to support national security objectives.
In 2022, 309 pilots graduated from Vance but the Air Force currently has a 1,600 pilot deficit. A big part of community involvement is to encourage younger kids to want to enlist in the Air Force.
Col. Johnson said there were 67,000 hours of training time at a rate of 200-250 flights per day at Vance. They flew the most training hours in August, which was more than any other training unit in Air Education Training Command since 2007.
The base operates 99 T-6s, with 45 of those flying three times per day. There also are several T-38s which will eventually be replaced with the T-7s in a few more years. Johnson said the T-7 “represents the future of the Air Force.”
Beginning in the spring, pilots who fly the T-1 will begin a simulator-only track. Johnson said the simulator-only track will produce the same amount of pilots as previous programs.
Major projects between Enid and Vance include multiple improvements to Enid Woodring Regional Airport, which greatly services Vance aircraft. Upgrades include reconstructing Woodring’s center runway, as well as reconstructing the south ramp and hangar and a new joint-use hangar and radar system.
Col. Johnson said needed facilities at Vance include an operations complex that needs to be as up-to-date as the state-of-the-art equipment that it will house. Johnson also said improving the dorms is a major priority in trying to improve the livelihoods of those on base.
Immediately after the State of the Base address, many local residents and leaders headed to Mayor George Pankonin's his final State of the City address across town at the Stride Bank Center. Pankonin has been the Enid mayor since 2019 but will not seek another term in the upcoming election.
Mayor Pankonin informed the audience that the city received $45 million in sales tax receipts, and $7 million was spent on road maintenance in 2022. “The city has made a great deal of progress in economic development within the past year with numerous successful projects,” Pankonin said.
Pankonin introduced several local residents that saw a need and filled it making Enid a better place to live. He showed a video highlighting many of the things being done for the community.
The Mayor pointed out the fact that the city council made signed an agreement with S&K Cinema Holdings Group to bring a 54,000-square-foot entertainment facility with movie theater to be located on Garland Road. City commissioners approved a $3.8 million package, a $1.5 million loan to be payed back over 30 years and $2.3 million in cash incentives.
Pankonin stated that the Stride Bank Center has contributed more than $5 million to the economy by hosting various events and meetings. He praised the Enid Regional Development Alliance for helping secure $163,500 in support grants for 20 different Enid businesses.
Pankonin talked about a greater quality of life for the residents of Enid and pointed out several events throughout the year hosted by theEnid Parks and Recreation. Those events included Christmas in the Park, the Haunted Gym and the July 4 fishing tournament.
Mayor Pankonin said he was honored to have served as mayor for the past four years and as a Ward 6 commissioner two years before that. He said that Enid will continue to prosper because we have a community that truly cares about each other.
