Vance helps celebrate Oklahoma's centennial

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tony Wickman
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
GUTHRIE, Okla. (AFPN) --  Four T-38C Talon planes from Vance kicked off the Oklahoma Centennial parade in Guthrie, Okla., marking 100 years of statehood.

The planes from the 25th Flying Training Squadron symbolized the land rush that settled the Oklahoma territory in 1889. It was part of a full day of festivities in Guthrie that drew more than 75,000 Oklahomans to the city that was the original capital of the state.

The lead plane was piloted by Capt. Sonny Hignite and 1st Lt. Thomas Wnetrzak. The second plane was piloted by 1st Lt. Nathaniel Lightfoot, the third plane was piloted by Capt. Dan Christman, and the fourth plane was piloted by Capt. Erik Gratteau.

It was a sentimental reason to support the centennial for 1st Lt. Nathaniel Lightfoot.

"The flyover went great. It was a wonderful opportunity to support the Oklahoma Centennial," Lieutenant Lightfoot said. "I'm from Tulsa, and this meant a lot to me to be a part of Oklahoma's birthday."

For Captain Christman, the flyover was a great experience.

"It was a great flyover and a lot of fun ... we saw lots of people on our run. I was honored to be a part of the celebration to the state that is home to our Air Force base," the captain said.

Lieutenant Wnetrzak echoed the feeling of pride in accomplishing the flyover.

"There looked like there were a lot people out there. I thought the flyover went smoothly, and we hoped it looked good from the ground," 1st Lt. Thomas Wnetrzak said. "It was a great honor to be part of the centennial celebration and I know everyone that was part of the formation was glad to do it."

From the ground, the sound of freedom for 7-year-old Madison Rhodes was thunderous during the centennial parade kick-off.

"The planes were pretty loud and fast," said the second grader from Fogarty Elementary. "It was neat, but I think I'd be too scared to fly in a plane."

LaNey Jones said the T-38C flyover was "Awesome!"

"It's good that everyone was on board for Oklahoma's centennial," said the Guthrie resident of 21 years. "It was great to see the Air Force supporting our celebration. The planes overhead made us as Oklahoma citizens even prouder at this event."

Gale Mehler, said he was looking forward to the flyover that morning.

"It was terrific to see our planes in the air," said Mr. Mehler, who was born and raised in Oklahoma and is a 27-year resident of Guthrie. "I'm very proud they could be here, and I thank our military for all that they do."

At 11:30 a.m., the four planes did a one and a half mile west to east flyover on the outskirts of town and concluded over Oklahoma Street in downtown Guthrie by pulling out over the Scottish Rite Temple.

The historic parade started as the planes departed and retraced the route from the iconic temple to Mineral Wells Park, just as it did in 1907. The parade included major university marching bands from the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Langston University, the University of Central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Centennial All-Star Band. It also included many floats and marchers from every country from across the state.

The centennial celebrates the proclamation of Oklahoma statehood by President Theodore Roosevelt on Nov. 16, 1907, admitting the 46th state to the Union. Guthrie also hosted historical re-enactments of the statehood proclamation, the swearing-in of Oklahoma's first governor and the symbolic wedding of Oklahoma Territory with Indian Territory. The re-enactments were held at the historic Carnegie Library in Guthrie, where they actually occurred in 1907.

The T-38Cs are part of the 71st Flying Training Wing and are used to train future combat pilots in basic aircraft control, navigation, low-level flight and fighter fundamentals.

There are more than 1,100 military people serving their nation at Vance as part of the United States Air Force. Vance is one of four active-duty military installations in Oklahoma, which is home to more than 37,000 men and women in the active-duty military, Reserves and National Guard.

The T-38C Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38C for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38 in various roles.

(Tech Sgt. Mary Davis contributed to this story)

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