71st Operations Group The 71st Operations Group ( 71 OG ) is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 71st Flying Training Wing . It is stationed at Vance Air Force Base , Oklahoma . The group ' s World War II predecessor unit , the 71st Reconnaissance Group operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater flying reconnaissance missions over New Guinea , New Britain , and the Admiralty Islands to provide target and damage - assessment photographs for air force units , It also bombed and strafed Japanese installation and shipping , supported Allied forces on New Guinea and Biak , flew courier missions , participated in rescue operations , and hauled passengers and cargo . The group moved to the Philippines in November 1944 and flew reconnaissance missions over Luzon to provide information for US forces on Japanese troops movements , gun positions , and supply routes . It was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its role in the liberation of the Philippines during 1944 – 1945 . During the postwar years , the unit remained in the Far East and photographed areas of Japan and South Korea , which in 1950 , provided much of the initial intelligence of the area when the Korean War broke out . Major William A . Shomo of the 71st Reconnaissance Group awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on 11 January 1945 sighting a formation of thirteen Japanese aircraft while leading 3 two - plane flight , Maj . Shomo attacked the superior enemy force and destroyed seven planes . Overview . The 71 OG conducts joint specialized undergraduate pilot training for over 410 U . S . Air Force , Navy , Marine Corps , and allied student pilots each year . The group utilizes over 200 T - 6 , T - 1 , T - 38 , and A T - 38 aircraft , flies more than 55 , 000 sorties annually , and logs over 81 , 000 flying hours each year . History . The 71st Observation Group trained with B - 25 , P - 38 , and P - 40 aircraft beginning in October 1941 . It moved to California in December 1941 and flew antisubmarine patrols off the west coast , then moved to the Southwest Pacific in the fall of 1943 and flew reconnaissance missions over New Britain , New Guinea , and the Admiralty Islands from bases in New Guinea and Biak . It also flew combat mission against Japanese installations , airfields , and shipping , while supporting Allied ground forces on New Guinea and Biak . During that time , it flew courier missions , participated in rescue operations , and hauled passengers and cargo . From November 1944 , the group flew reconnaissance missions over Luzon , supported ground forces , photographed and bombed airfields in Formosa and China , and attacked enemy shipping in the South China Sea . Maj William A . Shomo earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for shooting down seven enemy aircraft on 11 January 1945 . From Ie Shima in August 1945 , the 71st attacked transportation targets on Kyushu and flew reconnaissance missions over southern Japan . From February 1947 to August 1948 , the group , equipped with reconnaissance aircraft , flew aerial photographing missions over Japan and southern Korea . In December 1991 , the 71st Operations Group assumed operational control over the 71st Flying Training Wing ' s T - 37 , T - 38 , and later T - 1A aircraft , and provided undergraduate pilot training for USAF , Air National Guard , Air Force Reserve , and allied countries . The group provided initial flight training , and follow - on training for fighter , bomber and airlift / tanker aircraft .