Vance deployed to Afghanistan, three times to Iraq

Captain James Vance and wife Elizabeth with daughters Alyssa, Melissa, Jillian and Larissa. CONTRIBUTED

Veteran of the Week

MADISON – Retired Captain James Vance currently serves as 1st Vice Commander of American Legion Post 229 in Madison.

He entered the U.S. Army in March 2001. Vance reported to Fort Jackson, S.C. for basic training and then went to Fort Eustice, Va. for Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

Next in Savannah, Ga., Vance was assigned to Hunter Army Airfield as a PFC/E-3, 67U Chinook Repairer with the C/3-160th SOAR (A). “I deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan in 2002 with Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) I,” Vance said.

He completed Warrant Officer Candidate School (WOCS) / Flight School at Fort Rucker, Ala. Next, at Fort Bragg, N.C., he served as W01, 154C, CH-47 Pilot with B/3-82 GSAB.

In 2005, Vance deployed to Balad, Iraq. Back in Georgia, he completed Officer Candidate School (OCS) at Fort Benning. Next, he was assigned to Schofield Barracks in Hawaii (2LT, 15A, CH-47 Pilot) D/3-25, Maintenance Plt Ldr.

Vance’s next deployment was to Contingency Operating Base Speicher (COB), Iraq in 2010. Then, he served at Kandahar, Iraq in 2012. Back at Fort Rucker, he completed the Army Aviation Captain Career Course (AVCCC). Vance served as Company Commander at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas (F-2/501st AVN Regt).

“My family and I moved to Madison on June 1, 2015,” Vance said. “I purchased a business in Huntsville (AAMCO Transmission and Total Car Care).”

Vance earned an associate’s degree in aviation maintenance at Iowa Western Community College. In addition, he earned as associate’s degree in aeronautics from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University.

He and wife Elizabeth have four daughters: Alyssa of Honolulu, Hawaii; Melissa of Honolulu, Hawaii; Jillian of Plattsmouth, Neb; and Larissa of Madison.

In addition to American Legion, Vance is involved with Army Aviation Association of America and Business Networking International.

“My hobbies include riding motorcycles and building businesses,” Vance said.