Last week, I had the opportunity to visit Vance Air Force Base and Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma as part of the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Civic Leader program. This three-year appointment is designed to strengthen the bond between local communities and the U.S. Air Force. Civic leaders serve as liaisons who help the public understand the AMC mission, support airmen and their families, and provide feedback directly to military commanders.

Training the World’s Best Pilots at Vance AFB

We began the week at Vance Air Force Base, whose mission is straightforward but vital: train the world’s best pilots to fly, fight and win.

One of the most pressing challenges Vance is working to solve is the future of pilot training. The Air Force has a goal of graduating 1,500 pilots per year but has fallen short for several years. This shortfall prompted a rethinking of their entire training pipeline.

The new system shifts foundational competencies such as instrument training and earning a private pilot license to industry partners. This allows Vance to concentrate on the military-specific skills that matter most including formation flying, tactical maneuvers and combat readiness. With this new approach, the Air Force is now projected to reach the 1,500-pilot goal by 2026.

Vance’s challenges mirror those we see in the business community. Logistics constraints and supply chain disruptions affect readiness in the same way they affect many of our industries. Strengthening the military industrial base is essential because aging aircraft and equipment require repair or replacement.

Aboard a C-17 to Altus AFB

We then took a quick flight on a C-17 to Altus Air Force Base, where the mission is to develop the Mobility Force of the Future. Altus trains 80 percent of the Air Force’s mobility air crews and also executes real-world missions.

For Charleston, this connection is especially meaningful. Altus is where C-17 pilots and crews receive formal training before many eventually serve at Joint Base Charleston.

One thing that stood out at Altus was the remarkable level of community engagement. The community has created shared office space for military spouses who work remotely and has secured grant funding for housing. These efforts ensure that Airmen and their families can focus on the mission rather than obstacles at home.

Charleston has always been a community that values and supports our military families. The landscape of global conflict is changing and our support is more important than ever. Until Operation Epic Fury, the United States had not lost an airman in an air attack in decades. Today, drones, advanced technologies and evolving threats are reshaping the nature of warfare and the risks faced by Air Mobility Command.

Now is the time for our community to come together and continue supporting our airmen and their families.

Opportunities to Get Involved

If you are interested in strengthening your engagement with Joint Base Charleston, there are several meaningful opportunities available.

• Honorary Commander Program – This program gives local leaders a chance to partner directly with military leadership and build strong civilian to military relationships.
• The Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee – This committee aims to connect business leaders with the military, bridge the workforce gap and provide community support for the service members who call the Charleston region home.

If you would like to learn more about either opportunity, please email me. Your support makes a real difference.

Upcoming Event | Labor, Commerce & Industry Business Forum

Join the Charleston Metro Chamber, Chairman Herbkersman, Rep. Mark Smith and Rep. Gary Brewer, members of the House Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, for a discussion on lowering the cost of doing business, strengthening workforce pipelines and advancing priorities for the 2026 Legislative Session.

Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 p.m.
Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce Boardroom
4922 O’Hear Ave., Suite 101, North Charleston, SC 29405

Free to attend. Register today.

If you have questions or want to learn more about the Chamber’s advocacy work at the state level, contact me at bvincett@charlestonchamber.org.