Vice President JD Vance speaks to service members to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Vice President JD Vance said troops deserve clearly defined missions and the tools to succeed during his remarks Wednesday at Naval Air Station Oceana.
Vance spoke to more than 200 sailors and Marines gathered in an aircraft hangar alongside Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va. The visit comes ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“For 250 years, it is people like you who put on the uniform of the United States of America and made sure that our Constitution actually has meaning,” Vance said. “Because of you my friends, the next 250 years of the United States of America are gonna be better than the last 250 years.”
Vance, a Marine Corps veteran, drew on his military service and said leaders sometimes send troops to war without a clear mission. He said that he is proud of President Donald Trump for providing clear objectives for military operations and “the weapons to win” during his second term.
Vice President JD Vance speaks to service members to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., speaks to service members to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins speaks to service members to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
“I think that you deserve to have a clearly defined objective,” Vance said. “You offer to sacrifice, ultimately, for the benefit of this nation, but what you should demand in return is that when we ask you to go and do something, we tell you exactly what we want you to accomplish.”
In his remarks, Vance described Trump’s objectives for Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran. He said the goals include destroying Iran’s nuclear program, its conventional military capabilities and their defense industrial base.
“They are further away from developing a nuclear bomb... and that is because of you and because of your hard work,” Vance said.
Capt. Rob Littman, commanding officer of NAS Oceana, said the visit reinforced support for service members and the clarity of their mission.
“The sailors, airmen and Marines that make up Oceana work day in and day out, to answer the call and be ready to serve, and to have an opportunity to hear him (Vance) speak and see him in person, and deliver the message that he delivered... is awesome,” Littman said.
Vice President JD Vance arrives at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
U.S. service members attend a speech by Vice President JD Vance at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Va., on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
Seaman Kristyn Hilliard, who is stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, said she was seated near the front and enjoyed hearing about Vance’s military background and his ability to relate to service members.
“It’s a great experience to come out here and hear what he has to say,” Hilliard said. “Behind the scenes, they’re doing their best while we’re out here doing our best.”
Vance also used the visit to welcome home Carrier Air Wing 8 following its historic 11-month deployment with the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group.
“All of the great things that we’ve accomplished, you guys are the reason we’ve been able to accomplish it. So thank you, and welcome home. We’re proud to have you guys back,” Vance said.
The air wing logged more than 5,500 flight hours in support of Operation Epic Fury and conducted more than 11,800 launches throughout the deployment, according to U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
“They were answering the call in harm’s way, and we’re so grateful to have them back and safe and sound with their families,” Littman said. “To have him (Vance) come out and thank them in person, meant the world to all of us.”
