Arizona Wing Aviation Museum

SPECIAL INAUGURAL TRIBUTE EVENT TO RECOGNIZE THE FIRST INDUCTEES TO THE CAF ARIZONA WING AVIATION MUSEUM’S WALK OF HONOR

PHOENIX – The Commemorative Air Force (“CAF”) Arizona Wing Aviation Museum, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, announced today the inauguration of its Walk of Honor as a tribute recognizing the contributions by Arizonans to the field of military aviation. Inductees will be honored for their achievement with the installation of a special bronze plaque at the Museum.

The inauguration will be celebrated at a dinner recognizing the first inductees on Saturday evening, February 18, 2012 at the Phoenix Hilton East-Mesa Hotel, 1011 W. Holmes, Mesa, Arizona 85210. Cocktails will be from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Dinner and the induction ceremony will follow. Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB will be the keynote speaker.

The first six inductees into the Arizona Military Aviation Walk of Honor include: Lieutenant Frank Luke, Major Fred Ferguson, Rear Admiral W. L. Chatham, Mr. Sergei Sikorsky, Major Joseph Foss and Dr. Harry Robertson. Inductees are native, resident or former resident Arizonans, living or deceased, who made noteworthy contributions to the field of military aviation. They are selected based upon achievement in a variety of categories, including flying, engineering, manufacturing, operations, education or other commendable aviation-related achievements.

Tickets for the Induction Dinner will be available starting January 21, 2012 at www.azcaf.org or at the CAF Arizona Wing Aviation Museum, 2015 N. Greenfield Road, Mesa, AZ, 85215. For more information visit www.azcaf.org or call the Museum at 480-924-1940 or 480-268-2144. The CAF Arizona Military Aviation Walk of Honor has been officially recognized as an Arizona Centennial event.

The CAF Arizona Wing Aviation Museum is operated by the Arizona Wing of the Commemorative Air Force. Organized in 1978 as the Arizona chapter of the Commemorative Air Force, the Wing’s mission is to restore and preserve historically important aircraft and related memorabilia in order to educate the public about the significant contributions made by men and women in the defense of the Nation.

2012 WALK OF HONOR INDUCTEE PROFILES

Lt Frank Luke, the “Arizona Balloon Buster”; 5/19/1897-9/29/1918 (KIA) Born in Phoenix, AZ; Nominated by Don Luke. 27th Aero Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group; WWI ace Recipient of the Medal of Honor, In seventeen days in September, 1918, in just nine days of combat flying, ten missions, and only thirty hours of flight time, he shot down fourteen enemy balloons and four aircraft making him America’s second ranking ace in World War One. Lt. Luke was the first airman and first Arizonan to be awarded the Medal of Honor. Luke AFB is named after Frank Luke.

Sergei Sikorsky has distinguished himself through his efforts directed toward the advancement or improvement of the helicopter industry. He flew some of the earliest helicopter search and rescue missions while serving with the US Coast Guard helicopter development squadron, and participated in the testing and demonstration of the earliest helicopter rescue hoists. He retired in 1992 as Vice President, Special Projects, Sikorsky Aircraft Company and remains active with the company as a consultant.

Maj. Fred E. Ferguson, AUS was cited for conspicuous gallantry for his actions on 31 January 1968 during the battle for Hue in saving the lives of five of his comrades at the risk of his own life. For actions above and beyond the call of duty, then CWO Ferguson was awarded the nation’s highest award for bravery, the Medal of Honor.

Maj. Joe Foss, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve received the Medal of Honor for outstanding heroism and courage above and beyond the call of duty as executive officer of VMF-121, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, at Guadalcanal. Engaging in almost daily combat with the enemy from 9 October to 19 November 1942, Capt. Foss personally shot down 23 Japanese planes and damaged others so severely that their destruction was extremely probable.

Rear Admiral Lew Chatham, USN (Retired) received his commission as a Naval Officer in June, 1956. As an aviator, Chatham served in both attack and fighter squadrons. He has flown approximately 5,000 hours in over 30 different aircraft types and logged 1100 carrier arrested landings with 300 of those at night. Chatham commanded Attack Squadron 56, Carrier Air Wing Five, USS Hassaypana, USS Kitty Hawk, Carrier Air Group Six, and Task Force 70/77, Air Group Five. Chatham also served on the staffs of the Chief of Naval Aviation, Commander in Chief U.S. Pacific Fleet, Commander Seventh Fleet, Commander US Naval Forces Japan, and Commander Light Attack Wings Pacific. His awards include the Legion of Merit (6), the Distinguished Flying Cross (4), the Bronze star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air medal (10), the Navy Commendation Medal with 4 “V” clusters and the strike Flight Air Medal (35). Chatham retired in June 1987 after 31 years of service. He and his wife reside in Tucson, AZ.

Dr. Harry S. Robertson has made unique contributions to Army aviation and aviation in general. These contributions can be summed up in three words – “They saved lives!” Thousands of Army pilots, crewmen and passengers who might otherwise have died in helicopter accidents are living tribute to Robertson, who pioneered crashworthy fuel systems.

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Robert "Bob" MacGregor, Credit Union West President & Chief Executive Officer

Credit Union West continues to build its long and unwavering commitment to the Luke Air Force Base community. This is evident in the cooperative relationship they have developed over the years with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center.

In collaboration with the Airmen and Family Readiness Center, Credit Union West conducts two of the required four hours of financial education during FTAC. They equip young airmen with the tools necessary to make sound financial decisions. The goal is to provide basic education to minimize the missteps that can so easily divert families from achieving financial success.

For their dedication to education Credit Union West received First Place at the State level competition for the 2011 Desjardins Adult Financial Education Award.

Other financial briefings on topics ranging from Understanding Your Credit Score to Avoiding Credit Pitfalls are also presented on a monthly basis. Credit Union West understands that an airman worried about financial matters is not focused on the mission.

In addition to the many financial education classes the credit union conducts, they participate each year with the Military Saves Week Campaign and other financial related programs. They also support local scholarship programs that focus on military members and their families. For more than six years, Credit Union West has partnered with the Peoria Chamber of Commerce to provide two scholarships of $2,000 each to JROTC Cadets from the Peoria Unified School District. In support of the Officers Spouses Club and the Enlisted Spouses Club, the credit union provides $3,000 in scholarships to dependents of active duty military. Other military-connected grants go to support various organizations on base including the Luke Chapter of the American Society of Military Comptrollers.

According to an MSNBC report, many Americans will spend up to $250,000 too much in interest over their lifetimes due to their unhealthy credit scores. This year Credit Union West made a hard push to save members money by refinancing their high-interest debt from other lenders. As of December 4, 2011, Credit Union West members saved nearly $9.5 million in interest over the previous eleven months.

Credit Union West understands that freedom isn’t free! For over 60 years the credit union has been honored and privileged to serve the men and women of Luke Air Force Base.

1. Treasurer – Bob MacGregor
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DON LUKE, NEPHEW of Lt. Frank Luke Jr., speaks to guests at a naming ceremony at the Wigwam resort in Litchfield Park Wednesday. One of the resort’s golf course holes was named after the World War I fighter ace. View photo by Michael Clawson

As Wigwam resort owners kicked around the idea of naming golf course holes after patriotic Arizonans, one name quickly separated itself from the rest: Lt. Frank Luke Jr.

“This was a natural,” Wigwam’s most recognizable owner, Jerry Colangelo, told the View Wednesday. “We’re honoring people who’re deserving, and Frank Luke is at the top of the list.”

“Who would be at the first tee? I can’t think of anyone else but Frank Luke,” the deceased airman’s nephew, Don Luke, told the View. “It is a perfect fit.”

What made the Wednesday afternoon ceremony perfect was the fact it began with the Color Guard from Luke Air Force Base, which was named after Frank Luke Jr., the first U.S. aviator to be awarded a Medal of Honor.

“It is a privilege to honor a man who made the supreme sacrifice for this country,” Colangelo told the View. “And having his nephew here to speak to it was terrific.”

$8 million and counting

Wednesday’s event at the Wigwam was just another step by its current owners, JDM Partners, in renovating the 82-year-old resort while at the same time restoring its history.

JDM Partners – Colangelo, David Eaton and Mel Shultz – and other financial backers have invested more than $8 million in the Litchfield Park resort as part of its renovation since taking over the property in December 2009.

A few months ago, the resort renamed two of its courses. The Blue Course became the Patriot Course and the Red Course was renamed the Heritage Course. The Gold Course retained its name.

Wednesday’s dedication ceremony was the first of many to come for both the Patriot and Heritage courses, said Tom O’Malley, general counsel and director of operations for JDM Partners.

“[The Patriot] will be dedicated to the servicemen, policemen and firefighters,” O’Malley said. “It’s great to start with Frank Luke.

“Eventually, we’ll start naming each hole on the Heritage Course after a piece of Arizona history,” he said.

The goal on both courses is not to name every hole as soon as possible, O’Malley said, but to save them for special occasions and ceremonies.

“It’s our version of the Hall of Fame,” he said.

A plaque displaying Frank Luke Jr.’s name, picture and some biographical information was placed by Patriot Course’s No. 1 tee box.

“Patriotism has always been a big part of what I believe in,” Colangelo said. “When you look at the history of Luke Air Force Base and [Frank Luke Jr.'s] history, it is unbelievable. When I look to the sky now and see a balloon, I’ll look at it with different eyes.”

Balloon buster

Frank Luke Jr. was born in Phoenix and became immortalized for his role in basically inventing a way to knock down German observation balloons during World War I.

The balloons “were the eyes of the enemy,” Don Luke told the crowd Wednesday. The men stationed in the balloons would be able to direct their forces exactly where to strike.

While stationed in France, Don Luke’s uncle met with the “doughboys” on the ground, which is when “he learned the fear they had in the trenches for those balloons.”

“He took it as a personal challenge to protect those soldiers,” Don Luke, an Arizona native who made his wealth by running car dealerships, told the View.

Attacking the balloons was considered suicidal, Don Luke said.

“They had four or five aircraft above them and were defended below by machine guns,” he said.

Plus, it took three to four fly-bys to get enough holes in the balloons to make them burst, he said.

“Everyone knows you’re coming,” Don Luke said. “So you’re flying through a wall of lead. He was absolutely fearless.”

Frank Luke Jr. decided to attack at dusk, when most planes were down and machine gun fire was less accurate, his nephew said. Frank Luke’s nighttime missions made history: They were the first evening aerial assaults and the first night landings in U.S. military history, his uncle said.

Frank Luke Jr., then 21, recorded his first balloon victory on Sept. 12, 1918. In the span of two weeks, he went on to knock down 13 German balloons and five aircraft.

There were three air squadrons in France at the time, comprising about 60 pilots, all with the task of blinding the Germans, Don Luke said.

Over a one-week period, 80 percent of the balloons knocked out of the sky where destroyed by one pilot, Lt. Frank Luke Jr., he said.

On Sept. 29, 1918, after knocking down three balloons, Luke crash landed in a small French village. He was killed by enemy fire after the crash.

LAFB Community Initiative Team Director Rusty Mitchell told of a recent encounter by a Luke Air Force Base member with a villager near the site of the crash. Frank Luke Jr.’s story is passed down from generation to generation in France so it will never die, Mitchell said.

“The villager thanked [the LAFB member] for what Luke did for France and the free world,” Mitchell said. “His legacy will continue to live as long as brave men and women take to the sky to defend this country.”

His legacy will also live on now, too, whenever people take to the Patriot Course to play golf at the Wigwam.

“It’s real nice they took the time to honor him,” Don Luke told the View. “He was a unique individual and he did some incredible things in his short life.”

By Rich Ott, assistant editor at the West Valley View. Rich can be reached by email at rott@westvalleyview.com.

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Members of the Glendale Fire Department and Luke Air Force Base’s Fire Department get acquainted with each other before they get to work. Glendale firefighters will be stationed with one of their loaned fire trucks atLuke as part of the city’s partnership.

The Glendale Fire Department recently joined forces with Luke Air Force Base to provide enhanced fire and advanced life safety protection for the base and West Glendale. The two agencies have begun a pilot program in which the Glendale Fire Department will provide a fire truck and two trained paramedics at Luke’s Fire Station 362 to provide advanced emergency medical services to the area. The program, which launched Dec. 6, is grant funded thanks to the Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery, Public Safety Stabilization Program.

Because Luke is located in a remote area, the nearest Glendale fire station was approximately seven miles away. Luke already had its own fire department, which would respond to calls in the area. However, by partnering with each other, the Glendale Fire Department will be able to provide extra firefighters and paramedics trained in advanced life support for enhanced protection and improved response time at Luke and West Glendale.

Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick stands with Assistant Luke AFB Fire Chief Tony Robanza. The two chiefs will work more closely with one another as their departments begin working together.AFB’s fire department.

Glendale’s city council recently approved a proposal allowing for a partnership between the city and the military base. The program will allow Glendale firefighters, paramedics, and a fire truck at the Luke fire station for 40 hours a week each week, during peak time calls, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pilot program will run for a six-month period. After the pilot program ends, the department will review the success rate and future costs to fund it.

Assistant Luke AFB Fire Chief Tony Robanza said the program really is a win-win for both parties involved.

“The Glendale Fire Department is allowing us to expose our base firefighters to advanced emergency medical services, which they otherwise would not be,” he said. “This will allow them to be trained in emergency medical services, which they may be able to use one day, should they wish to seek a career with the fire department down the road. In turn, we are able to offer our enhanced training and life-saving skills to residents in the area.”

Burdick said his department is happy to be able to use Luke’s facility so they will be closer to calls within a five-mile radius from the base.

“We will have a much quicker initial attack on a fire scene than we originally would have,” he said. “From a search and rescue standpoint that is critical.”

By KATHRYN STAFFORD Staff Writer

1. Glendale fire chief gets top honor in Arizona
2. Glendale Slates Jet Rededication
3. Glendale rededicates Air Force F-100 jet at Bonsall Park

The "Hun" F-100D fighter jet was brought back to like-new condition and proudly aims toward the sky once again at Bonsall Park.

An F-100D Super Sabre Air Force jet that served at Luke Air Force Base 1962 to 1969 was used to train young pilots.

The jet was retired from use by United States Air Force and placed into the National Museum of United States Air Force Static Display Program in 1971. In 1973, the jet was installed at Bonsall Park, 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road, Glendale.

Retired Lt. Col, Warren H. Rice, from Prescott, actually flew the F-100D Sabre jet that was rededicated at Bonsall Park, right down to the same tailfin identification number. GlendaleCouncilmember Phil Lieberman's interview with him can be seen on video at GlendaleDailyPlanet.com.

Visitors to the park and passers by might not realize that the plane was piloted by retired Lt. Col Warren H. Rice, who had more than 200 missions with the F-100D during the Vietnam War. The Dec. 15 rededication ceremony presented the F-100D or the “Hun” as it was nicknamed, in its newly painted exterior and new identification numbers. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the jet’s display status. Not only had Rice flown this type of fighter aircraft, but he had flown some hours in the exact plane at Bonsall Park.

The plane’s new paint and numbers took more than 30 days to complete and involved removing the old paint and finish and giving the jet a new high-tech paint application and updated identification.

A special group of volunteers helped considerably with the restoration project. Lt. Col. Marc “Dutch” Matthews, Arizona Air National Guard, and Lt. Col. and Mrs. David J. Kempson researched the flight history and background of the plane and are helping with fundraising efforts. A fund has been created to support the annual maintenance of the fighter plane to preserve and maintain it for future generations to enjoy and appreciate. Donations are being accepted; call Michelle Yates at 623-930-2044 or myates@glendaleaz.com for more information.

Lt. Col. Marc “Dutch” Matthews, Lt. Col. Dave Kempson, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, and Councilmember Phil Lieberman greet each other before the rededication of the F-100 jet..

Glendale Cactus Councilmember Phil Lieberman, in whose district the plane is located, said, “We, the council, those people behind me, the mayor, the rest of the council and the City of Glendale are 101 percent behind Luke Air Force Base…”

To many, this F-100D Super Sabre is a symbol of freedom. Thanks to a $5,000 city-funded contribution from Lieberman and some dedicated volunteers, the F-100D Super Sabre has been refurbished and rededicated to the military veterans of Arizona who have served our country.

By BETTE SHARPE, CouryGraph Productions

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These are the 84 Collegiate All-American golfers from NCAA D1, D2, D3, NAIA participating in the 2011 tournament held at The Wigwam. This picture is taken at Luke AFB after a dinner inside a hanger on base. Brigadier General Jerry D. Harris, Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke AFB is centered in this picture. What an honor for both parties.

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"Operation Thunderbox also serves as an opportunity to thank them for their service as well as let each Airman know they are not forgotten." -CMSGT RoryWicks 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief

With more than 280 Thunderbolts currently deployed around the world, Operation Thunderbox focuses on sending care packages to deployed Luke Air Force Base Airmen.

The program started around 2004 by a former Luke command chief, Scott Dearduff and his wife.

“They wanted to ensure Luke personnel received a taste of home and to let them know that Luke leadership was always thinking about its deployed Thunderbolts,” said Master Sgt. Evelyn Proctor, 56th Security Forces Squadron logistics superintendent.

Operation Thunderbox is a self-sustaining program. It relies solely on donated items and money from local charitable organizations and retired communities.

“Operation Thunderbox was originally created to support our deploying Thunderbolts,” said Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, 56th Fighter Wing Command Chief. “Many of our teammates were being sent to austere locations without the ability to obtain some of the basic niceties that provide a sense of home. Operation Thunderbox also serves as an opportunity to thank them for their service as well as let each Airman know they are not forgotten.”

In the beginning, there were few organizations that donated to the program, which made it difficult, but every effort was made to provide packages to deployed Thunderbolts.

Evelyn Proctor and her husband, retired Master Sgt. Stewart Proctor, have been running the program for the last four years and it has grown to the point where every Thunderbolt gets at least two packages.

According to Evelyn Proctor, the program creates new, and enhances existing, relationships throughout Arizona.

“Operation Thunderbox is a pillar within our wing that supports not only our great men and women from all services that deploy to contingency operations,” Wicks said, “it also supports in the surrounding community families in need.”

The program also donates to Luke families, shelters and churches that assist homeless veterans throughout the Valley. It has provided Eagle Scouts and various Valley schools with community service opportunities.

“We also want to pass on to Luke personnel that when they are given a deployment tasking, they don’t need to buy travel toiletries; they can contact us to get a travel toiletry kit,” Evelyn Proctor said.

“The most important thing we’d like to get out to the Luke community is that we need regular updates from unit deployment managers about their deployed personnel,” she said. “The success of the program depends on the most up-to-date information.”

Operation Thunderbox is always looking for volunteers. Assistance is needed with packing and transporting care packages and moving to a new location.

Anyone interested can contact the unit first sergeant, or e-mail the Proctors directly at OTBox56@gmail.com.

By SENIOR AIRMAN DARLENE SELTMANN, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

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3. A Time for Thanks and Recognition

Brig. Gen. JD Harris, Commander 56th Fighter Wing

At Luke Air Force Base, we’re proud to be part of the community in the West Valley. We recognize that the support of surrounding communities is vital to our success as we carry out our mission of training the world’s greatest F-16 pilots and maintainers.

We’ve had an outstanding year at Luke. This year, we graduated 372 pilots, 529 crew chiefs, and 68 intelligence specialists. We deployed 484 Airmen in support of U.S. operations overseas, while continuing to accomplish the mission at home.

We also earned a rating of “Excellent” on the Unit Compliance Inspection conducted by Air Education and Training Command. This is a major inspection conducted every two years which assesses our compliance with regulations. The results validated what I have seen over the past 14 months as the wing commander here and are a testament to the professionalism of our men and women at Luke.

As we carry out our mission, we strive to be good neighbors in the West Valley. Last year alone, Luke Airmen volunteered more than 100,000 hours in the local community.

We conducted dozens of flyovers in support of community events and had the privilege of our Airmen speaking to thousands of people at school and civic functions in the region.

We also make every effort to be good stewards of the environment and our resources.

Work continues on a 15 megawatt solar array, located on 106 acres of undeveloped land in the southwest corner of the base. When completed, the array is expected to provide up to 50 percent of the base’s normal electrical needs. According to EPA estimates, this will avoid 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. There is no out-of-pocket expense to the Air Force for construction of the actual array, and long-term electricity cost savings over the next 20 years are expected to exceed $15 million.

Also on the environmental front, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department has renewed a Title V air permit for Luke, reestablishing the framework for the base’s continued compliance with federal and local air regulations. We’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment, and we value the guidance of the county in that regard.

The Navy Operational Support Center, previously located in Phoenix, is relocating to Luke as well. The new 32,055 square foot building has its own 67 kilowatt solar array for providing renewable energy and is an exemplary model of sustainability. The building is on track to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

By being located within the perimeter of Luke, the NOSC benefits from the base’s secured perimeter and abundance of parking, while redeveloping an older section of the base.

Once again, I am extremely grateful for the support of communities around the base. I think I speak for all the men and women at Luke when I say we’re honored to have the opportunity to live and work here. I’d like to wish all our neighbors in the West Valley happy holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year! It is good to be back home in the West Valley.

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Luke Air Force Base members assist a wounded warrior pack for a move to San Antonio. Participating were Senior Master Sgt. Eric Culver, 56th Force Support Squadron superintendent, who handled the volunteer tasking; Tech. Sgts. Lyndsey Lemus and Carolyn Russell, 56th FSS Airman Leadership School; Staff Sgts. Brian Tisdall, 56th FSS ALS, Gerard Tilley, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Daniel Bays, 56th FSS Honor Guard and Clinton Wellman, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron; Senior Airmen Darryl McNeil, Travis Grasmick, 56th EMS, Caleb Odom, 756th AMXS, William Canfield, 56th AMXS, Andrew Leaver, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron, and Kory Hitchens, 56th Operations Support Squadron; and Airmen 1st Class, Brian Speaks, 56th EMS, and Benjamin McCloud, 607th ACS.

When one hears of all the wars, crime and political strife, it easy to feel a sense of hopelessness, but there are a lot of good things happening that can restore hope.
One such event took place on a sweltering late-August day at Luke Air Force Base.

“I received a call from Jenny Voss, a retired Air Force major, who was a combat nurse in Iraq, asking for help in finding volunteers to help her load boxes into a U-Haul truck,” said Vickie Muniz, 56th Force Support Squadron Airmen and Family Readiness Flight community readiness specialist. “She was moving to San Antonio and needed help.

“Ms. Voss had made the moving van arrangements in coordination with the Wounded Warrior program office at Randolph Air Force Base, (Texas)” Muniz said. “I asked Master Sgt. Tanya Myers, Airman and Family Readiness Center superintendent, to put out a call for volunteers. The response was overwhelming.”

The volunteers had a few obstacles to brave including triple-digit heat.

“It was 117 degrees that day, and we had to wait at Ms. Voss’ house for 35 minutes until the U-Haul arrived,” Muniz said. “I didn’t hear any complaints about the heat or having to wait. The people who helped were professional and made a good impression on the Voss family. The task was completed in a little more than an hour.”

“The Wounded Warrior program point-of-contact at Luke is Sandra Gray, 56th FSS Airman and Readiness Flight community readiness consultant,” said Cory Carmichael, 56th FSS AFRF community readiness technician. “We are here to assist our people and don’t want anyone to fall through the cracks.”

The Wounded Warrior program exists to help Air Force personnel who are injured in combat by working one-on-one with the service member to ensure their needs are met. This help includes pay, employment, medical and the Veterans Affairs. Each wounded warrior is assigned a case worker who follows the member for approximately five years after their return to the United States. A big team at Randolph coordinates the program.

In all, Gray said she works with a fabulous team whose number one concern is service to military personnel and their families. An example of this commitment is that Muniz bought water, pizza and other beverages for the volunteers out of her own pocket.

To learn more about Wounded Warrior, visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

By STEPHEN DELGADO, Thunderbolt Staff Writer, Luke Air Force Base.

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The F-100D Super Sabre, nicknamed “The Hun,” is on display at Bonsall Park in Glendale.

GLENDALE — The F-100D Super Sabre, nicknamed “The Hun,” displayed at Bonsall Park, has been refurbished and will be rededicated on Thursday to the military veterans of Arizona who have served our country.

The rededication ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and feature comments from city dignitaries, including Glendale’s Mayor Elaine Scruggs and council members Norma Alvarez and Phil Lieberman.

Bonsall Park is at 59th Avenue and Bethany Home Road.

Also attending will be special guests from Luke Air Force Base and Warren H. Rice, a fighter pilot that actually flew this F-100.

The F-100 at Bonsall Park served at Luke AFB from 1962 to 1969, where it was used to train young fighter pilots. Along with Arizona, this jet was deployed from California, Japan, Korea, Nevada and South Dakota. In 1971, the aircraft was dropped from Air Force inventory and transferred to museum status. It was installed at Bonsall Park in 1973.

This year marks the 40th anniversary the plane was removed from active use and placed into the National Museum of the United States Air Force Static Display Program.

The plane was refurbished earlier this year.

The facelift took more than 30 days to complete and involved removing the old paint and finish and giving the jet a new high-tech paint application and updated identification.

A special group of volunteers has  helped with the restoration project. Lt. Col. Marc “Dutch” Matthews, Arizona Air National Guard, and Lt. Col. David J. Kempson, Arizona Air National Guard, researched the flight history and background of the plane and are helping with fundraising efforts.

“The visual impact the jet has on visitors and citizens of Glendale is a tremendous reminder of the sacrifices that our military have made and continue to make today,” said Karen Hesser, parks and recreation deputy director. “The personal commitment of the volunteers with the support of the city of Glendale to restore the jet to its original luster reflects the dedication to keeping these symbols in the forefront of our community.”

A fund has been created to support the annual maintenance of the fighter plane to preserve and maintain it for future generations to enjoy.

Article courtesy of staff reporters at yourwestvalley.com

More information is available here or you can contact Michelle Yates, 623-930-2044 or myates@glendaleaz.com.

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Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing's former commander, addresses the Tuskegee Airmen during the relinquishment of command ceremony at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia Dec. 4, 2011. Neubauer, who commanded the 332nd AEW "Red Tails" from Oct. 2010 to Dec. 4, 2011, lead the wing during the transistion of the largest movement of personnel and equipment since World War II. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Paul Mann)

12/3/2011 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — What began 14 months ago will conclude, with the satisfaction of transitioning the second largest U.S. base in Iraq, among other things.

Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander and the final commander of Joint Base Balad, will relinquish command Dec. 5, 2011 at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia.

“My first feeling was of gratitude for the privilege of wing command again,” said Neubauer, who took command Oct. 5, 2010. “The second was the challenge of facing the unknown of accomplishing the mission from Balad while effectively shutting down a base the size of Charlottesville, Va.”

The general took command and helped transfer JBB to the Government of Iraq.

“I’m very proud of what our wing accomplished and the experience of command in (U.S. Central Command) has been profound, both professionally and personally,” said Neubauer, who considers Phoenix, Ariz., home. “I will greatly miss serving with the Red Tails but I’m anxious to be reunited with my family and go on to our next assignment in Korea.”

After returning home to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Neubauer will serve as 7th Air Force vice commander at Osan Air Base, Korea.

Along the way, Neubauer has gained many memories of the 332nd AEW.

“There are so many memories – for example, flying that last combat sortie from Balad,” he said. “Other things that come to mind are personnel rotations. You get attached to people after serving with them. Watching squadron and group commanders turn over, or seeing my command chief leave – those are bittersweet memories.”

The general also highlighted transferring the air control and C-130 squadrons and standing up detachments for the Predator and MC-12 squadrons as unforgettable events.

“The last very vivid memory is seeing JBB fade from the view of our C-130 after we signed the base over to the Iraqi air force,” he said. “That memory will stay with me for a long while.”

The general’s command was not always easy.

“Our biggest challenge was getting the mission done – defending the base , providing top cover for U.S. Forces-Iraq and assisting our Iraqi hosts – while simultaneously drawing down our Airmen and equipment,” said Neubauer. “That was a real test and I couldn’t be more proud of the leadership, stamina, strength and agility of our Red Tail group and squadron commanders. They did a Herculean job balancing those divergent mission tasks.”

Despite the challenges, however, the 332nd AEW succeeded.

“My most rewarding experience is not losing anybody through the course of 14 months,” he said. “In spite of the fact that we were under significant indirect fire threat, and things got a little hairy as personnel and equipment thinned out, we went in this thing together and we came through the other side together.”

Neubauer gives his thanks to the Airmen of the 332nd AEW.

“I think everybody has a lot to be proud of,” he said. “They may not realize how important their role is and continues to be in this part of the world, but let there be no doubt that what they did has been righteous and worthy work. It’s something they should be proud of, and more importantly, they shouldn’t be bashful about telling their families and their fellow citizens back home what they did here.

“Finally I’d ask them to understand that they added to the heritage and legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen,” he continued. “The story of the Tuskegee Airmen is about character. Like them in the forties, our Airmen revealed their character by the way they handled the adversity of accomplishing the mission, protecting the force, preparing for the future and transitioning the base to the Iraqis. They should be very proud of themselves for that.”

Although Neubauer is leaving the 332nd AEW, he will take the lessons he learned with him.

“Regardless of what rank or what position an Airman serves in, everybody can be inspirational,” said Neubauer. “You just have to unlock their potential, and each one of us has talents and gifts in different measure. Those talents and gifts can inspire other Airmen. That inspiration creates belief, and belief is powerful. I’m talking about belief in the mission, belief in each other and belief in ourselves – because once you create belief, you release other virtues–virtues like trust, virtues like loyalty – when you have belief, trust and loyalty, you get action that is unstoppable.

“Regardless of proximity to the flightline or the badge above your U.S. Air Force tape on the (Airman Battle Uniform), regardless of how many stripes on your sleeve or brass on your collar, every single Airman can inspire,” he continued. “All we have to do is look at our Red Tail heritage and think of American Airmen like Benjamin O. Davis or Lee Archer. Although they’re gone, they still inspire us today.”

by Senior Airman Amber R. Kelly-Herard, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

1. Familiar Face! Familiar Hat!

Major General Robin Rand

Major General Robin Rand received Senate confirmation November 14th to be the Commander, 12th Air Force, at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, AZ. The posting also comes with a promotion to the grade of Lieutenant General. General Rand was the 56th Fighter Wing Commander from June ’04 – June ’06 and was a staunch supporter of Fighter Country Partnership throughout his tenure at Luke AFB. His personal relationships with local civic leaders spearheaded rapid growth and acceptance of Fighter Country Partnership as a powerful lobby for the Airmen of Luke AFB, as well as spearheading the drive for future basing of the F-35 Lightning II at Luke.

(L to R) Maj Gen Rand, Col Jack Maixner, Lt Col Jeff Lovelace, Brig Gen Kurt Neubauer, and Lt Col Jeff Jenssen on the occasion of Lt Col Lovelace’s final flight in the F-16 at Luke AFB on June 4th 2009

General Rand and his lovely wife, Kim, were always present at FCP events, and cultivated a culture of ‘unity of purpose’ among all of our members. For the past year, he has been the Special Assistant to the Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, General Phil Breedlove – his predecessor as Luke 1! We would like to wish General and Mrs. Rand the absolute best in their new assignment, and hopefully will see more of them in the near future.

1. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. 2011 Patriot All-American Golfers from NCAA at Luke AFB

Congressman Trent Franks commented this week on the mission at Luke Air Force Base and the scheduling of the F-16 squadrons’ move to Holloman Air Force Base once the F-35 Lightning II lands at the base in Glendale.

Upon entering office, Franks said he was part of the delegation that worked diligently to save Luke during the Base Relocation and Closure (BRAC) process.

“Then, we were working hard to get the F-35 to Luke,” Franks said. “.So, those are wonderful successes I’m thankful for.”

Franks said the first F-16 movement, the first squadron, was set to move the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 and now has been rescheduled to the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

The second squadron was set to move the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, and that has been changed to the third quarter of fiscal year 2014.

The good news, Franks said, is the F-16 will be based at Luke longer.
He said the F-35 is now set to arrive at Luke the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

“We haven’t seen any delay in the F-35,” he said.

Asked to comment on Sen. John McCain’s statements about the F-16 squadron movement in his Sept. 8, 2011 letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, Franks said, “I understand Sen. McCain’s perspective very well. I’m not sure with the transition that’s occurring I would be in a mindset to challenge the Air Force at this time.

“It’s important to know the last update I’ve seen, the three squadrons planned to base at Luke are already funded, so hopefully, they are immune to cuts to the initial three squadrons.”

Franks is not so optimistic about future funding for defense.

He said, “After the budget control act and super committee, there’s an ominous willingness to cut the defense budget at a time when we’re penny wise and pound foolish. When those two airplanes hit those buildings, it cost $2 trillion.

“It is vital for America to understand that our critical economic productively depends on a secure environment. And one of the most important things we can do economically is make sure our defense is the greatest in the world.

“One of the most important foundations for Americans to be such a favorable economic investment across the world is the unquestioned nature of our security environment. If we diminish our security in the interest of economic savings, we may do the worst for both.”

This article is made available with permission of Pueblo Publishers, Inc.

No related posts.

Mike Nealy, COO & Alt. Governor, Phoenix Coyotes and Jobing.com Arena & FCP Board of Directors

Each month, Fighter Country Partnership will feature an Honorary Commander–both alumni and current members. This month’s feature is on Mr. Mike Nealy, Chief Operating Officer of the Phoenix Coyotes. He is responsible for overseeing all day-to-day business operations for the Coyotes and Jobing.com Arena. He also serves as one of the team’s alternate governors.

The Honorary Commanders Program partners Luke Air Force Base squadron commanders and others in leadership positions with civilian business and community leaders from the Phoenix metropolitan area. The program is designed to strengthen relationships between the base and local community. Since 1999, more than 400 community and business leaders have been inducted into the program. In November 2010, 65 new honorary commanders joined during a ceremony for a two-year term.

Mr. Nealy, a Minnesota native, has been an active alumni of the program since his term ended in 2008. He was inducted into the program in 2006 assigned to the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron. He is currently on the Fighter Country Partnership Board of Directors participating in projects that support the men and women of Luke Air Force Base.

Military working Dog at Luke AFB chases down Mike Nealy during an Honorary Commander tour on base.

It was an honor to be exposed to the internal workings of Luke and to see, firsthand, how a base operates and to see the skilled airmen perform their duties,” Nealy said. “Being an Honorary Commander gave me access to a world that I knew little about and also allowed me to share my world with the staff and airmen that I met.”

The military commanders are invited by their Honorary Commanders to learn about the community in which they live outside the confines of the base. Although military commanders usually have a short two-year assignment at Luke, they are encouraged to get involved in the local community and this program gives them that opportunity.

Mr. Nealy supports the base in many ways through a great partnership with the Phoenix Coyotes. He and his team go out of their way to ensure Airmen are recognized at every opportunity.

“I always try to think of how to include the base at our home games,” said Mr. Nealy. “For example, at each home game we honor a “Hero of the Game” and often this is an Airman from the base. We get them center ice seats, introduce and recognized them during the game, always to huge cheers from the fans.”

As a board member of Fighter Country Partnership, Mr. Nealy believes that the more you put into a great cause, the more you get out of it.

Mike Nealy is suited up and ready to climb aboard an F-16 Fighter Falcon fighter aircraft for the experience of a life time.

“When it was time to move on from the Honorary Commanders program, I did not feel as though I have given enough, so for me, I was fortunate enough to be able to join the Fighter Country Partnership and still serve on the board today. This allows me to continue to support the base and stay close to and informed on the needs of the base and its Airmen. With my position at the Phoenix Coyotes hockey organization, I have also been able to support the base by connecting the Team and base with various opportunities.”

Mr. Ron Sites, Executive Director, Fighter Country Partnership, appreciates the great support that Mr. Nealy and the Phoenix Coyotes Hockey Team provides to the men and women of Luke AFB.

“Watching 200 Airmen and their families enjoy a Phoenix Coyotes hockey game is an opportunity a lot of these airmen wouldn’t experience without the support that the Coyotes and Mr. Nealy provide,” he stated.  “They have been there for the base on a consistent basis.”

“The Coyotes’ contributions are another example why the Airmen and their families at Luke AFB enjoy a quality of life that is different than other military installations, Mr. Sites explained.  “Without the community support, the quality of life within Luke would be significantly different.  Thank you Mr. Nealy and the Coyotes!”

When asked what inspires him, Mr. Nealy explained, “For me, I live under the protection of those who serve and have served in our armed forces and I have the opportunities I enjoy because of their service. It is my way of giving  something back.

1. Director – Mike Nealy
2. Honorary Commander Feature: Mr. David Haddad
3. Honorary Commander Feature: Mr. Blair Bunting

Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, celebrates surpassing the 4,000th flying hour mark in the F-16 "Fighting Falcon" aircraft. Neubauer was greeted by Joint Base Balad, Iraq, personnel to celebrate the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jeffrey Schultze)

Nothing but pride as we read this story from Luke’s website! See below for an update on our former Luke Commander!

8/12/2011 - JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq  – Fly .. Fight … Win: three words that define our focus, our duty and our purpose. For a fighter pilot, every sortie, every bomb or bullet on target and every minute of reconnaissance vividly represents those words. And each successive “mission complete” sharpens their commitment to get the job done. This is especially true for Brig. Gen. Kurt Neubauer, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Tuskegee Airmen commander and former 56th Fighter Wing commander, who Aug. 1 notched his 4,000th hour of flight at the stick of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, or as it is more affectionately known, the “Viper.”

The pressures of leading a combat mission, the austerity of an unforgiving environment and the enduring threat of enemy action did little to affect the general’s achievement as he joined a very elite company.

A number of Joint Base Balad personnel, undeterred by 123 degree heat, came out to congratulate him on the milestone.

How did he feel after the engine cut off?

“Grateful,” said Neubauer. “Hitting the 4,000 hour mark as Red Tail 1 was beyond words and seeing the crowd out there was a scene I’ll forever remember.”

His milestone realized, the general reflected upon past, present and future combat aviators as well as his place within the community at-large.

“To the combat pilots of the past, thank you for showing the way; to today’s, seize the day with gusto. To tomorrow’s, persevere,” he said.

Joining Neubauer as his wingman was Lt. Col. Bob Whitehouse, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group deputy commander, who reached 3,000 flight hours in the F-16 more than a month ago.

“Whitehouse and I served together at Luke Air Force Base,” said Neubauer. “He’s a superb officer and a great fighter pilot.”

When asked if he would have ever envisioned this moment more than 30 years ago, the general did not mince words.

“Not in a million years,” he said. “Lieutenant Neubauer just wanted to be the best wingman in the 430th Tactical Fighter Squadron.”

“I’m thankful to the Air Force for granting me the honor to serve as an Airman and fighter pilot more than 30 years,” he continued. “I’m thankful to my fellow fighter pilots and the Airmen I have served with over all those years for their example, stick, rudder, heart and soul, and giving so much to our Air Force. Lastly, I’m thankful to the Tuskegee Airmen for their courage, character and sacrifice.”

by Capt. Larry Farrell

332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group

1. Brig. Gen. Neubauer departs 332 AEW

6/3/2011 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – The Air Force Meritorious Award for Achievement in Ground Safety was recently presented to 56th Fighter Wing Ground Safety professionals. This award is in recognition of outstanding performance in mishap prevention by the 56th FW for 2010 and recognizes Luke’s ground safety unit as the best in the Air Force.

Candidates are evaluated on all base ground safety programs to include low accident rates, safety campaigns and proactive programs for mishap prevention at the base level.
Initially chosen by AETC as the best within the command, they were then matched against the top candidates Air Force-wide, winning the best overall among all major commands.

“The safety professional is in a constant learning state,” said Ben Bruce, 56th FW GS manager, “because there is so much to learn about all the different safety issues at a fighter wing. From the flightline to industrial shop, you learn every day.”

As operational safety professionals, specialized training is provided in areas to include industrial safety, safety training methods and safety program management along with communications skills emphasizing speaking and writing. Mr. Bruce said not only is language important when reporting to senior leadership, but you must also trust that the safety practices in effect are those that are being followed.

“This award first acknowledges the hard work of the dedicated people on my ground team for their focus and determination to provide the best safety products and programs to the wing and rewards the efforts of the leadership teams at all levels that execute the safety mission every day,” Mr. Bruce said. “This is a win for the 56th Fighter Wing, again showing the Air Force why they should ‘Beware the Thunderbolt!’”

by Airman 1st Class Myra Dougharty
56th Logistics Readiness Squadron

1. 56th FW inducts 65 new honorary commanders
2. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment

The 2011 Tops in Blue tour “Rhythm Nation” brings to life the music of America, from the early 1900s through today.  It provides a glimpse of a century of popular music and how it grew through new rhythms and technology.  Add the high energy precision choreography and dazzling visual impact Tops in Blue is known for and every member of the audience will be singing along and dancing in their seats.

All media are welcome to attend this event.  Any media representatives interested in attending should contact Barbara Plante at (623) 856-5997 or Master Sgt. Cynthia Dorfner at (623) 856-7991 at the 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office.

To learn more about the Tops In Blue please visit their website at http://www.topsinblue.com/.

1. FCP @ Vistancia Music & Wine Festival 2011
2. Vistancia Music & Wine Festival 2011

12/10/2010 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – The skies around Luke Air Force Base will be busier than normal Wednesday during Cactus Starfighter, a large force exercise for the 310th Fighter Squadron and 310th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. During Cactus Starfighter, the combined efforts of Luke units will launch more than 30 F-16s at one time.

The exercise will focus on mission planning and coordination in addition to aerial maneuvers. All student pilots in the F-16 Basic Course must participate in similar exercises at the end of their training, but this Cactus Starfighter is unique in the number of aircraft launching simultaneously and the level of coordination required, said Capt. Christopher Hubbard, 310th FS instructor pilot.

The plan is for 36 F-16s to launch from Luke’s runway. Of these, 32 will be “good guys” and four will be “bad guys,” or aggressors, Captain Hubbard said.

Additionally, a KC-135 tanker aircraft from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., will launch from Luke and provide aerial refueling. Also joining in the exercise are F-15 aggressors from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Marine Corps F-5 aggressors from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Providing command and control as well as intelligence gathering are three aircraft from other bases: a joint surveillance target attack radar system aircraft from Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; an airborne warning and control system aircraft from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; and an RC-135 rivet joint aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

“It’s always a goal to have as many aircraft flying as possible, because historically, in real conflicts, you would have this size of a package,” Captain Hubbard said. A package is the combination of air assets a commander sends to battle.

“Unfortunately, we aren’t usually able to put this many aircraft in the air,” he said. “The size of the exercise force is determined by a host of factors, including maintenance schedules and air space limitations.”

A large force exercise like Cactus Starfighter gives the B Course students realistic training in the way they would have to fight in a real-world operation.

The impetus for Cactus Starfighter came when Lieutenant Col. Timothy Trimmell, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, issued a challenge to the maintainers of the AMUs here.

“In September, Colonel Trimmell challenged the AMUs to ‘launch the fleet,’ i.e., see which AMU could be the first to launch all their aircraft at once,” said Capt. Joshua Downing, 310th AMU officer-in-charge. “We’re meeting that challenge.”

Regularly scheduled maintenance would normally preclude such a large launch of aircraft, Captain Downing said. In a normal week, at least three or four of the jets assigned to the 310th AMU aren’t flying because of maintenance schedules. Also, the sheer numbers of maintainers needed to launch 20-plus aircraft required special consideration, he said.

The coordination process to perform has included the 308th and 310th FSs, 56th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers, 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron end-of-runway crews, 56th Fighter Wing plans and scheduling, and other AMUs.

Also helping to put the exercise together are the Airmen of the 56th Operations Group Intelligence Flight. The flight is responsible for providing intelligence briefings to the fliers on all aspects of the different threats and weapons systems they will be simulating combat against during Cactus Starfighter. “Basically, we come up with all the plans to ensure the pilots can defeat the threat, do their job and come back home safely,” said 1st Lt. Chad Haring, 56th OG Intelligence Flight systems chief.

More aircraft means more pilots to brief.

“Instead of briefing two or four people across a table, we will be briefing a room full,” he said. “Our mission is the same, but the volume and quantity changes. We have to be very precise in making sure each individual gets the information.”

The event is going to include many assets, according to Captain Downing.

“This exercise will use all the resources we have,” he said. “The nearly 260 Airmen assigned to the AMU will assist with the launch and recovery of the jets.”

At least four jets will take off at a time, with a five to 10-minute gap until the next series takes off. Once all jets are in flight, they’ll be airborne for nearly an hour and a half.

“The ‘launch the fleet’ large force exercise will be an epic celebration of TopHats history to have all TopHats airborne at once,” said Lt. Col. Sean Routier, 310th FS director of operations. “Since it formally joined Luke Dec. 15, 1969, it’s been training pilots and weapon systems officers.”

Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs by Staff Sgt. Robert Biermann and Jodi Jordan

1. 309th AMU at Luke AFB receives Nellis AFB F-16

11/12/2010 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Sixty five new honorary commanders joined the 56th Fighter Wing after being inducted in a ceremony recently in Club Five Six, as part of a program designed to strengthen relationships between the base and local communities.

The Luke AFB Honorary Commanders Program partners unit commanders and others in leadership positions with civilian business and community leaders from the Phoenix metropolitan area.

During the two-year term, military commanders are encouraged to get to know their honoraries and invite them to their units for tours and special events and vice versa. This allows the honorary commanders the opportunity to learn about Luke AFB and the military commanders to learn about the civilian community.

“During the next two years you’re going to meet some fantastic Airmen,” said Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander, during the ceremony. “These are the sons and daughters that come out of American communities, and with these sons and daughters we defend the nation.”

General Harris said that the military does what it does, so business and community leaders can do what they do. The military protects national freedom and this in-turn enables business leaders, like those appointed as honoraries, to run the organizations that help drive the nation’s economy and maintain the American quality of life.

“The relationship between the local community and the base is pivotal,” he said.

The general also said the honorary commanders program can be a rewarding experience and encouraged the military commanders and their honoraries to get involved with each others’ organizations to reap the benefits.

“I’m really honored to be part of the program,” said Yvonne Pascoe, Marriott Corporation sales manager in Glendale. “I look forward to doing whatever I can do to give back.”

Mrs. Pascoe will serve as an honorary commander to Maj. Dominic Clementz, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron commander. She said that Marriott Corp. is always looking for ways to give back to the community, and the honorary commanders program can serve as a good avenue for her to do so.

The chairman of Fighter Country Partnership, Luke’s main advocate organization in the civilian community, called on all honoraries to get fully involved in the program.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said Charley Freericks, FCP chairman of the board. “It’s an amazing opportunity because Luke is an amazing place.”

Mr. Freericks called Luke a special place with a special group of people that live by the core values of integrity, service before self and excellence.

“Get involved because it will be a life-changing experience,” Mr. Freericks said during his ceremony remarks. “It will build a sense of pride in the Air Force, a sense of pride in America and give you insight into the great military machine here at Luke.”

Mr. Freericks praised the outgoing group of honoraries for their involvement in the past two years, and he also gave kudos to alumni honorary commanders for their continued support for the men and women of Luke AFB.

1. The Honorary Commander Program
2. 56th FW ground safety best in Air Force
3. Honorary Commander Feature: Mr. Mike Nealy

10/1/2010 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Continuing in the footsteps of his father’s 30-year U.S. Air Force career, Chief Master Sgt. Rory Wicks, 56th Fighter Wing command chief, begins his journey at Luke Air Force Base as the top enlisted member.

The chief arrived here in September from Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, where he served as the 100th Security Forces Squadron manager.

“Airmen are my life,” he said. “What I bring to the 56th FW is the mentality of a defender of the force, as well as an Airman.”

Chief Wicks watched his dad travel from base to base around the country, growing up as an Air Force family member.

“I’m a second generation Air Force professional,” said Chief Wicks. “My dad is a 30-year retired chief. So, I grew up in the Air Force.”

Chief Wicks joined when he was 19-years-old. The first 18 years of his life, he was a military brat.

His decision to join the military came during his second year in college. Chief Wicks father supported his son’s wish to enlist, but didn’t want him to enter the security forces career field. His dad wanted him to be a civil engineer, just like him.

“My father was a dirt boy like Chief Master Sgt. of the AF James Roy,” Chief Wicks said. “He didn’t want me to be a defender, and he tried to get me to change careers, even while I was in Basic Military Training.”

Despite the difference of opinion on career choice, the first person Chief Wicks called when he got the 56th FW command chief job was his father.

“It’s always awesome to have him in my corner,” he said of his father, who has given Chief Wicks advice throughout his career. “My dad lets me know if I’m veering too far left or right. He keeps me straight.”

Chief Wicks joined the Air Force in June 1984 at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., and has held a variety of security forces key management and leadership positions at the squadron, major command and Air Staff levels. His resume even includes a job at the Air Force Inspection Agency as the Compliance Inspections and Nuclear Oversight Division chief.

“I’ve been blessed with some mentorship and leadership that has allowed me to grow,” Chief Wicks said. “I’ve had an opportunity to lead at different levels, and it has always been about the Airmen.”

He gives credit to a number of supervisors who have taken him by the hand. One supervisor, in particular, had considerable impact.

“Although many won’t know his name today,” Chief Wicks said. “Buck Sgt. Michael McGuire got me started the right way.”

Until the mid 1990s, Airmen spent a year as a senior airman, then transitioned to the rank of sergeant, commonly called a “buck” sergeant.

The command chief took those first experiences and developed an understanding of what makes a good NCO.

“Integrity is a very important part of a person’s character for me,” Chief Wicks said. “At every level of leadership, we should try to make the Air Force better than it was when we found it.”

Supervisors at all levels must ensure young Airmen know and understand how they fit in while developing them into leaders, according to the command chief.

He believes officers, enlisted and civilians are part of the same team. It’s these team contributions that make the Air Force successful at what it does for our nation, the chief said.

“I like positive people,” Chief Wicks said. “I feed off their energy. There are a lot of great folks I’ve already met at Luke, so many people who are excited about our Air Force.”

He’s spreading that upbeat attitude across a command of 5,000 enlisted personnel and 24 squadrons.

“Thanks for the welcome,” Chief Wicks said. “I look forward to working with everyone here at Team Luke. I am a team player, and I am here to serve.”

Click here to watch the video.

1. Change of Command at Luke AFB
2. Glendale fire chief gets top honor in Arizona
3. Director – CMSGT (USAF Ret.) Edwin Blanchard

9/20/2010 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — An F-16 pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours and combat time during Operation Desert Storm took charge of the 56th Fighter Wing during a change-of-command ceremony held Monday in Hangar 913.

“We’re happy to be home in Arizona, again,” said General Harris, who has been previously assigned to Luke Air Force Base. “I look forward to serving with you for years to come.”

Luke is the largest fighter wing in the U.S. Air Force and the largest military fighter base in the world.

“The job at hand is to train 90 percent of Air Force F-16 pilots and all of its crew chiefs while continuously deploying combat-ready Airmen to meet our nation’s tasks,” General Harris said.

The commander explained to the Airmen and group and squadron commanders in the military formation during the ceremony that he doesn’t expect to make many changes in the wing.

“Everything is running very well and we’re meeting the tasks at hand,” he said.

Maj. Gen. Mark Solo, 19th Air Force commander, presided over the ceremony and put into perspective the role of Luke in Air Force history.

“No matter the era or whether our nation was at war or peace, the mission at Luke has always been to train the world’s best fighter pilots,” General Solo said. “Since 1941 Luke has trained 56,673 pilots for the defense of this nation.”

General Neubauer spoke highly of the men and women he’s led the last two years.

“It’s been my highest honor and privilege to serve you,” he said as he compared his Airmen to the legacy of Lt. Frank Luke, America’s second ranking ace in World War I and Phoenix native. “Luke is hallowed ground in our Air Force.”

The coming years will see a transition away from F-16 aircraft as the 56th FW helps the wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. stand up F-16 training, according to General Harris. The 56th FW will remain focused on its current training mission and deploying warfighters.

General Harris comes to Luke from the Headquarters Pacific Air Forces at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. He served as the PACAF assistant director of operations, plans, requirements and programs during his tour in Hawaii. He has also served as the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Battle Director for Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

To watch the video, click here.

1. New Command Chief at Luke AFB is Ready to Serve
2. 2011 Patriot All-American Golfers from NCAA at Luke AFB
3. Luke community thankful for your support

The executive search team met with a number of candidates and selected Sites, the executive director of the Southwest Valley Regional YMCA. Sites will assume his new job on Sept. 11.

“Ron’s connections to the West Valley communities, his recent experience as an honorary commander at Luke and his volunteer efforts with Fighter Country make him an excellent choice for our organization at this time,” said Charley Freericks, the organization’s board chairman. “We are looking forward to a seamless transition as our organization is hard at work for Luke Air Force Base’s families and dedicated to the F-35 campaign for all of Arizona.”

Fighter Country is co-leading a statewide effort to land the F-35 jet at the Glendale military installation. The Air Force has picked Luke as a preferred site to train pilots on the next generation of jets but the final decision rests with results of an environmental-impact report.

Yamamori will leave the organization Aug. 31 and assume his new role as manager of Arizona Public Service’s community relations group.

From: The Arizona Republic

1. Executive Director / President – Ron Sites
2. Fighter Country Partnership CEO boosts F-35 mission during SCHOA meeting
3. Executive Director & CEO Emeritus – Steven Yamamori

The 309th Aircraft Maintenance Unit has added five F-16s from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to its inventory of 27 aircraft.

“Right now they look like blueberries with the painting scheme of an aggressor aircraft,” said 1st Lt. Jennifer Rogers, 309th AMU officer-in-charge. “The blue camouflaged pattern helps pilots in training quickly identify the plane as an adversary, or aggressor, in the air.”

The jets transferred to Arizona as part of an ongoing realignment of aircraft Air Force-wide and are the same F-16 model currently in the 56th Fighter Wing inventory.

Master Sgt. Brian Litman, 310th AMU lead production superintendent, led the transfer team that took two weeks to receive the aircraft from Nellis. Sergeant Litman and team completed a flawless transition, according to Lieutenant Rogers.

The five Nellis aircraft integrated into the 309th AMU fleet. The 309th will transfer two of its jets to the 308th AMU and two to the 310th AMU to even out the number of aircraft owned by the three AMUs in the 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron.

“What we’re doing right now is putting our tailflashes on them,” Lieutenant Rogers said. “Since they’re flown by Luke, we’re required to change the tailflash to the LF for Luke Field.”

Three or four sheet metal Airmen from the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron Fabrication Flight take three days to complete the job.

“They want to fly the aircraft immediately, so we’re just replacing the letters for the base, so they can fly as-is,” said 2nd Lt. Holly Gramkow, 56th EMS Fabrication Flight commander. “Starting Monday they’ll fully repaint the five aircraft with the gray Luke scheme.”

The repainting from the blue camouflage to gray is a five-day process.

Airmen and Defense Department civilians in the corrosion control facility, called the paint barn, start with masking and sanding, and continue with priming each jet. That’s followed with applying a top coat of dark and light gray paint, then finish with the application of stenciled NATO markings and decals to fully identify the aircraft.

Repainting costs $10,640 per jet, including labor expenses.

However, to get the Nellis F-16s into the air as soon as possible the corrosion control Airmen had to be creative.

“We don’t have the blue paint they use at Nellis, so they blended the gray into the existing blue paint to keep the integrity of the painting scheme,” Lieutenant Gramkow said.

Lieutenant Rogers anticipates repainting of the F-16s to be completed by the end of October.

Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1. Credit Union West receives award for financial education
2. Tops In Blue to perform a free show at Jobing.com Arena on June 3, 2011

1. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
2. Luke AFB 2009 Air Show Video
3. 5th generation fighter planes (F-35 & F-22) video

Valley leaders reacted last week with excitement to an announcement by Sen. John McCain that the Department of Air Force has selected Luke Air Force Base as its preferred training base for stationing of the F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter).

“The Air Force has recognized that the unparalleled capabilities inherent to Arizona – from the Barry M. Goldwater Range, to great flying weather, and strong support from state and local governments and communities, serve to provide the best environment and the finest quality of life for our military personnel training in the Air Force’s next generation fighter,” McCain said. “In return, Luke AFB offers the West Valley and the state of Arizona a strong economic engine, contributing more than 8,000 jobs and $2.17 billion annually to the state’s economy.”

With the decision, Luke is now poised to transition from its current F-16 training mission to become the Air Force’s “school house,” subject to the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that is currently underway.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said she was happy and relieved.

“Obviously, they did the right thing for the Air Force, national defense, the state of Arizona and the West Valley,” Scruggs said. “This represents a major milestone and the most critical stage in the F-35 site-selection process. Although we realize there is more work ahead of us, we are extremely grateful to our state’s congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, Gov. Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard and citizens and businesses for working closely with us to champion and support the F-35 coming to Luke Air Force Base through our Luke Forward campaign.”

The campaign was developed to send a clear, strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke AFB continuing to serve as one of the country’s premier fighter pilot training facilities and to raise awareness of the critical role Luke plays in our national defense and state’s economy.”

Brewer called the selection a testament to Arizona’s great team effort.

“Having Luke selected as the F-35 training center was personal for me. Luke is in my back yard, and I was a founding member of Luke’s Fighter Country Partnership,” said Brewer, who is a resident of Glendale. “In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley before the selection, and in leading a delegation of Arizona officials to meetings at the Pentagon, I noted Luke is the perfect location for this advanced fighter aircraft given the fact that Arizona has state statutes in place to manage growth around our military installations that protect their missions. I reminded him of Luke’s unique assets – including its proximity to the 2.7-million acre Barry M. Goldwater Range, key to air-to-ground combat training, along with 57,000 cubic miles of airspace overhead where pilots practice air-to-air maneuvers and engage targets on the ground.”

Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) Chairman Charley Freericks, who is co-chairing the Luke Forward Campaign with Scruggs, credits community support for the decision.

“Local community support of military bases is very important back in Washington, and we know the tremendous Valley and statewide support for Luke Air Force Base really helped us,” said Freericks, a senior vice president at DMB Associates. “We reached literally tens of thousands of Arizonans through our citizen and business outreach initiatives, and community support for Luke AFB was overwhelming. There is no question that this strong level of support was a significant factor in the Air Force’s decision to site F-35 at Luke.”

Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett called Luke AFB a real economic driver in the West Valley.

“The F-35 mission ensures Luke’s viability for the next 40 years,” Barrett said. “This is the best news we could have hoped for at this point. The City of Peoria will continue to strongly support the mission and Luke AFB throughout this process.”

The announcement that Luke was a preferred base was made prior to the Air Force’s draft F-35 basing EIS document, which is anticipated to be published in the next 30 days.

The Air Force is required to conduct an environmental assessment of each potential F-35 site before making its final basing decision.

The federally mandated assessment, which is referred to as the EIS process, allows individual citizens and communities around candidate bases to provide input during the formal evaluation of each base.

The Draft EIS will serve as the Air Force’s notice of intent to proceed. Once the Draft EIS is released, in which Luke will be identified as the Air Force’s preferred site, public hearings will be held later this year.

Once the public hearings are held and the comment period concludes, the Air Force will release its final EIS document that will provide responses to comments received from the public.

After the Final EIS document is published, there will be an additional 30-day public review period. After reviewing comments and after considering any environmental impacts, the Air Force will make its final decision.

It is anticipated the Air Force’s final “Record Decision” which will conclude the environmental impact process, will be made in early 2011.

Reach the reporter at ejackman@star-times.com, or 623-847-4615.

1. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base

And there’s no better time for good news from Washington.

The Air Force announced Thursday that Luke, at this point in the military’s analysis, is the optimum training location for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 replaces the aging F-16, for which Luke has been the premier training site in the world.

This is a major step in securing Luke’s future. Landing the F-35 is expected to have a positive impact for decades. In the short term, the F-35 could initially bring in as much as $125 million in construction money to ready the base for the aircraft.

Throughout its 69-year history, Luke has played a vital role in the nation’s defense and in Arizona’s development. The base has made a major imprint on the Valley’s growth and has a $2.2 billion annual effect on the state economy.

Its presence is well-known and treasured, which is why Arizona’s political and business leaders and other Luke supporters waged an impressive campaign to tout the base’s virtues to the Defense Department.

Luke was on a short list for the F-35 with training bases in Idaho, Florida and New Mexico. Now Luke is no longer a contender for the new fighter jet; it is the training mission location to beat.

Barring an unexpected adverse finding during an upcoming environmental impact study, Luke should get final approval for the F-35 before next summer.

In a bright future, Luke remains an important part of Arizona’s economy and the nation’s defense system.

From the Arizona Republic Opinions on Aug. 4, 2010 – Read more

1. F-16 makes hard landing at Wickenburg Municipal Airport
2. F-35 STOVL expected to make first vertical landing soon
3. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands

With today’s decision by the Air Force, Luke is poised to transition from its current F-16 training mission to become the Air Force’s F-35 “school house,” subject to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that is currently underway.

“Today’s announcement is great news for our region and our state and represents a major milestone and the most critical stage in the F-35 site selection process,” said Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs.

“Although we realize there is more work ahead of us, we are extremely grateful to our state’s congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, Governor Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard, and citizens and businesses for working closely with us to champion and support the F-35 coming to Luke Air Force Base through our Luke Forward campaign,” Scruggs said.

The campaign was developed locally to send a clear, strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke Air Force Base continuing to serve as one of the country’s premier fighter pilot training facilities and to raise awareness of the critical role Luke plays in our national defense and the state’s economy.

The campaign was created by the West Valley Partners and Fighter Country Partnership.  The West Valley Partners include Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown.

Gov. Brewer said the Air Force’s decision is, in part, the result of all levels of local and state governments, as well as the private sector, working in partnership on a common vision.

“We all know that Luke is the ideal location for this next generation fighter, but I also believe that today’s decision demonstrates Arizona’s ability to roll up our sleeves and work together for the betterment of our state,” she said.

“It’s critical that we continue to do all we can to preserve current and future missions at our military installations in order to keep this very important industry viable in our state.”

Luke Air Force Base and other military installations in the state collectively represent one of the largest industries in Arizona and generate more than $9 billion annually in economic impact statewide. Luke alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2.17 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, according to a recent study commissioned by the state.

Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) Chairman Charley Freericks, who is co-chairing the Luke Forward campaign with Scruggs, credits community support for today’s decision.
“Local community support of military bases is very important back in Washington, and we know the tremendous Valley and statewide support for Luke Air Force Base really helped us,” said Freericks, a senior vice president at DMB Associates.

“We reached literally tens of thousands of Arizonans through our citizen and business outreach initiatives, and community support for Luke Air Force Base was overwhelming. There is no question that this strong level of support was a significant factor in the Air Force’s decision to site the F-35 at Luke.”

Today’s announcement is being made prior to the release of the Air Force’s draft F-35 basing EIS document, which is anticipated to be published in the next 30 days. The Air Force is required to conduct an environmental assessment of each potential F-35 site before making its final basing decision.

This federally mandated assessment, which is referred to as the EIS process, allows individual citizens and communities around candidate bases to provide input during the formal evaluation of each base.

The Draft EIS will serve as the Air Force’s notice of intent to proceed. Once the Draft EIS is released, in which Luke will be identified as the Air Force’s preferred site, public hearings will be held later this year.

Once the public hearings are held and the comment period concludes, the Air Force will release its final EIS document that will provide responses to comments received from the public.

After the Final EIS document is published, there will be an additional 30-day public review period. After reviewing comments received during this time frame and after considering any environmental impacts, the Air Force will making its final basing decision. It is anticipated the Air Force’s final “Record of Decision,” which will conclude the EIS process, will be made in early 2011.

1. Luke AFB Pilot Selected to Fly F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds

The Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, commonly known as the Thunderbirds, have announced incoming officer selections for the 2011 demonstration season.

“Each person and position is carefully selected based on the individual’s record of performance, capabilities in their particular field and a demonstrated commitment to excellence that matches the Airmen we represent every day,” said Lt. Col. Case Cunningham, the squadron commander/leader and Thunderbird No. 1, in an Air Force news release.

Pilots selected for the team who currently fly a different airframe will undergo several months of F-16 familiarization training before they begin practicing the aerial demonstrations with the Thunderbird pilots.

Those selected are:

Capt. Ryan Riley, an F-16 pilot stationed at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, who will join the team as the left wing for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 2.

Capt. Nicholas Holmes, an F-16 pilot stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., who will serve as the slot for the squadron as Thunderbird No. 4.

Capt. John Williams, an F-15 pilot stationed at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., who will take over as the opposing solo, Thunderbird No. 6.

Lt. Col. Jason Koltes, an F-16 pilot serving at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, who will join the team as the operations officer, Thunderbird No. 7.

Capt. Joshua Hawkins, stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, who will become the new executive officer, as Thunderbird No. 10.

Maj. Jason Moore, currently stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., who will serve as the maintenance officer, Thunderbird No. 11.

Selection of the next public affairs officer, Thunderbird No. 12, is delayed until late summer due to the deployed status of one of the finalists.

Staff report from the Air Force Times on Tuesday Jun 22, 2010

1. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds
2. Luke AFB Pilot Selected to Fly F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

Maj. Josh "Dog" Wood, 56th Operations Support Squadron weapons chief, was selected to fly the new F-35 Lightning II Joints Strike Fighter. He was one of five pilots selected out of approximately 150 candidates. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Oakes)

Maj. Josh Wood, current 56th FW Weapons officer, will soon be departing Luke AFB and no longer fly F-16s, but the next generation aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

With Air Force bases across the globe submitting recommendations, Major Wood is one of five pilots selected out of approximately 150 candidates to fly the F-35.

“First off, I’m extremely humbled and it means the world to me,” said Major Wood. “I can’t describe what an unbelievable opportunity this is.”

Major Wood has spent 10 years in the Air Force and has been stationed at Luke since July 2008. He has more than 1,430 flight hours in an F-16 and approximately 1,650 total flight hours.

The future F-35 pilot attributes his selection to something a little more than a decade of experience and more than a thousand hours of flight time.

“It was the right combination of luck, timing, superior leadership and God’s sovereignty that allowed me to be chosen,” Major Wood said. “Coming to Luke also played an integral part. I was afforded the opportunity to be both a basic F-16 instructor and a weapons officer at the largest F-16 base in the world. And both positions were selection criteria for the F-35 program.”

The F-35 Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon share several similarities that will make the transition easier, Major Wood said.

“Both are single engine, multirole aircraft that share stick and hands-on throttle likeness,” Major Wood said. “The cockpit of the F-35 was heavily influenced by and bears a strong resemblance to the F-16.”

But what Major Wood is looking forward to are not the similarities, but the differences in technology and enhancements in capabilities the new Joint Strike Fighter offers.

“A new helmet-mounted display system, electro-optical targeting system and a distributed aperture system are just a few of things I’m looking forward to getting my hands on,” Major Wood said.

A synthetic aperture system provides pilots with a unique protective sphere around the aircraft enhancing situational awareness, missile and aircraft warning, day and night vision and fire control capability.

“Through the use of this new aircraft, we will be able to bridge the gap from current threat to capability,” Major Wood said. “We will have the ability to go anywhere and continue making our mark on air dominance and supremacy.”

In four weeks Major Wood departs for a one-year short tour at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, before moving to Eglin AFB and begin flying the new F-35.

Seeing how I’m a Tallahassee, Fla., native, the location couldn’t better, Major Wood said.

“We also have grandparents in Florida. And for the first time ever, we’ll be stationed less than 1,000 miles from home,” Major Wood said. “We are all very excited and this is a positive thing all the way around. The entire family is excited to be a part of this effort.”

by Justin Oakes
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER
2. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds
3. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

ESOHCAMP 11 days away

by AJ MUHS
56th Civil Engineer Squadron

Although storm water runoff is simply rainwater, it flows over land and can become a problem. When it picks up and carries sediment and contaminants from streets, rooftops and lawns, it carries them to surface water bodies and ground water through the soil causing contamination.

Storm water is a problem if it mixes with pollutants like fertilizer, oil, sediment, pet waste, soap, pesticides and other chemicals that are picked up by runoff then carried untreated to local water bodies. It is important to realize that all storm water entering a storm sewer system receives no treatment before re-entering the water cycle.

At Luke Air Force Base, most of the storm water runoff is collected in the concrete ditches that run along Litchfield Road and Northern Avenue. This runoff drains untreated into the Agua Fria River. Since people are the primary source of these pollutants, individuals can do a lot to protect local water bodies by being mindful of what should not be dumped down storm drains.

Most people are unaware that making a few changes in their daily lives will tremendously reduce the amount of pollutants they contribute to storm water runoff. Luke and the greater Phoenix metropolitan area continue to work together to promote storm water education throughout Arizona. Preventing storm water pollution is everyone’s responsibility.

Tips to minimize storm water pollutants:

Lawn care

• Monitor watering schedules and avoid overwatering

• Use lawn products sparingly, and follow the manufacturer’s suggested procedure

• Avoid the use of fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides just before, during or immediately after a storm or windy conditions

• Control loose soil and prevent it from washing into the storm drain

Auto care

• Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash to prevent dirty, soapy water from entering the storm drain; or in the yard so the water infiltrates the ground

• Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations

Pet waste

• Pet waste can be a source of pollution in water bodies where pets and children play

• Clean-up after pets and properly dispose of waste

Did You Know?

• One gallon of oil has the potential to contaminate up to one million gallons of water (source EPA)

• Sediment is the number one pollutant of the nation’s rivers and lakes (source EPA)

Additional storm water resources

Arizona storm water outreach-azstorm.org

Glendale residents-www.glendaleaz.com/

Surprise residents-www.surpriseaz.gov/

Litchfield Park residents-www.litchfield-park.org/

Goodyear residents-www.ci.goodyear.az.us/

Peoria residents-www.peoriaaz.gov/

For more information about storm water, call (623) 856-8490.

1. F-35 will provide vital boost to Tucson economy
2. Arizona is recognized as a national model in protecting military facilities

The Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s F-16 aerial demonstration team, recently selected Captain Hubbard, 62nd Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, as their newest member.

She will be Thunderbird 8, meaning she will narrate the Thunderbirds’ performances. She will also serve as the advance pilot.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement, honor and responsibility that come with being the No. eight. As the advance pilot, I’m the first person to show up at a location, the first to meet the media and the first person to meet kids and talk to them about what I do.”

Captain Hubbard says she is excited to interact with all the friends and family of the people she is going to meet.

“I’m looking forward to hearing people’s stories, listening to the mothers and fathers talk about their deployed Airmen,” she said. “Essentially what we do is represent those deployed Airmen.”

After getting letters of recommendation, watching the team at a performance and two initial rounds of interviews, the Thunderbirds picked her over four other pilots after a final interview.

“The question that always came up was why I wanted to be a Thunderbird,” she said. “I want to showcase the Air Force. I want to be part of an awesome team that represents our Air Force, seven days a week, in or out of uniform.”

Becoming an Air Force Thunderbird is not bad for someone who never flew in an aircraft until they were 17-years-old.

“I sat in the window of the plane and couldn’t take my eyes off of looking outside,” she said. “My family was laughing because I was 17 years old acting like I was five. After that I knew I wanted to be in aviation.”

She had family members who worked for a major airline producer in Seattle, Wash., but did not have any family who spent their career in the military. Her grandfather took her to aircraft museums, which she says pointed her toward making aviation a career.

“I did aeronautical engineering at the University of Washington and loved the design, aerodynamics and propulsion,” she said. “I absolutely loved the science and math part of it. The more I did it though, the more I realized I wanted to do a spin off of that, which was a little more hands on.”

A friend waiting to head to pilot training suggested she show up at the university’s Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps detachment. Her response was, “What’s a detachment?”

“I went and joined without signing my name anywhere and fell in love,” she said. “I loved the teamwork, family atmosphere and focus on the team succeeding.”

Captain Hubbard says she has always liked to be challenged, which is why she enjoyed being an instructor pilot so much. Her next challenge will have her with the team for two years.

According to the Thunderbirds Web site, they have more than 35 performances lined up through the end of 2010. The team’s most recent show at Luke AFB included performing in front of more than 215,000 people.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to go out and share what the Air Force does with the rest of the world,” she added.

Luke Air Force Base’s Capt. Kristin Hubbard’s almost eight-year Air Force career includes stops in Canada, Korea, Alaska, Guam and Jordan among other places. Her next stop could have her visiting all those spots in one-eighth of that time period.

Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs on March 9, 2010 (by 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp)

1. Luke AFB Pilot Selected to Fly F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB
2. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

The t

The operations at Luke AFB have impacted people from all walks of life and from every state in the nation. Since 1988, Luke Air Force Base has trained 16,270 fighter pilots to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and graduated 9,071 crew chiefs. They continue to play a critical role in protecting America’s freedom and security worldwide.

The presence of Luke and other military bases in Arizona contribute significantly to the state and local economies. Luke AFB alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2 billion annually to our state’s economy. Luke’s economic impact is especially critical in light of the current budget crisis facing the state and every community in Arizona.

Our jewel to the south, the Barry M. Goldwater Range, provides highly flexible joint military service training and realistic combat missions. Each year, fighters from Luke AFB conduct more than 30,000 air-to-air gunnery and air-to-ground bombing training at the 1.7-million acre facility located between Yuma and Tucson.

The town of Buckeye and other West Valley communities have revised their development plans and/or set aside property in the area to protect Luke’s training mission. Buckeye is home to many of the brave men and women who support Luke’s current fighter training mission. Buckeye is where their families live and their children are educated. And, we hope Buckeye will be able to welcome a new generation of F-35 personnel and their families to our community as well.

In addition to protecting our nation’s defense and being an economic asset to the state, Luke AFB has a profoundly positive impact in our communities. Base personnel volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually at local schools, churches, youth sports leagues and non-profit organizations.

Our Town Council’s recent resolution illustrates the unwavering support and commitment of Buckeye residents to Luke Air Force Base – for the current F-16 training mission and as the future training site for the new F-35.

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
3. Davis County Commission Letter Supports F-35 Squadron to Hill Air Force Base

Tuesday night’s meeting in El Mirage and last night’s meeting in Surprise each attracted big crowds of approximately 300 people. Luke supporters donning military hats, t-shirts, pins and stickers could be found everywhere at the meetings, which are being conducted by the Air Force to solicit input from citizens in preparation of the F-35 environmental study at the Glendale base.

Based on reports from other communities, such as New Mexico, Utah and Idaho, which are also under consideration to receive the Air Force’s joint strike fighter program, the Luke meetings are drawing record crowds.

“At last night’s meeting in Surprise, there was a line of people waiting to get inside the meeting room,” said Fighter Country Partnership’s Steve Yamamori, whose organization is working with 12 West Valley cities and Maricopa County to bring the F-35 to Luke. West Valley residents and others are showing up in force at these meetings to express their support for the Air Force to bring the F-35 to Luke. This strong support by local citizens is definitely going to send a clear message to decisions makers back in Washington, D.C. that Arizona strongly supports the F-35.”

Based on the criteria the Air Force will use to evaluate sites for the F-35 mission, Luke is well positioned to receive the F-35 and continue to serve as the Air Force’s “school house” for America’s fighter pilots and maintainers.
Local leaders know, however, that until a decision is made, nothing can be taken for granted, and they urge continued strong support from Arizonans statewide.

Luke has been training fighter pilots since 1941, and Arizona features the ideal climate, land, airspace and training rangers – including the Barry M. Goldwater Range in southern Arizona – that cannot be replicated anywhere in the country.

For more information on the public-scoping meetings, which run through Friday, or to register your support for the F-35 at Luke, visit www.LukeForward.com.

CONTACT: Steve Yamamori, Fighter Country Partnership, 623-882-2191

1. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base
2. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
3. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base

Residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these meetings and to complete comment forms that will be used during the process of the Environmental Impact Study conducted regarding the F-35s and the mission’s potential impact on the area. Residents’ comments are needed to assist the Air Force in making more informed decisions and can be mailed by March 25 to David Martin, HQ AETC/A7PP, 266 F Street West, Randolph, AFB, TX 78150-4319. Comment forms may be obtained at http://lukeforward.com/

According to Luke’s Web site, Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s manufacturer, in conjunction with the Air Force Research Lab, conducted an aircraft acoustics study on the F-35 in October 2008 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The study concluded that the F-35 is only “slightly louder (less than 10 percent) than the F-16s currently stationed at Luke AFB. The study noted that acoustic levels experienced by the public depend on a number of conditions…. The Air Force is in the process of validating the study results.”

The Web site goes on to explain that the takeoffs and landings, as well as flight patterns and number of daily training flights will largely remain the same. Typically Luke’s training flights occur between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Flights may occur on weekends, due to training mission requirements. Luke flies between 125-150 training missions (referred to in the military as “sorties”) a day, which can result in more than 400 flights over the local area daily.”

All area residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these initial scoping meetings and to fill out a response card. Visit www.lukeforward.com for more information.

1. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Tonight in El Mirage
3. Fighter Country Partnership CEO boosts F-35 mission during SCHOA meeting

The Air Force proposes to establish training F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) training aircraft at one or more existing Air Force installations within the continental United States. F-35A is a conventional take-off, multiple-role fighter with an emphasis on air-to-ground missions. The aircraft was designed to replace and supplement F-16 and A-10 aircraft.

The candidate basing alternatives include: Holloman AFB New Mexico, Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, also known as Gowen Field, Idaho, Luke AFB, Arizona, Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Arizona, and Eglin AFB in Florida.

For purposes of this Environmental Impact Study alternatives currently include:

• No-Action – The No-Action Alternative evaluates the consequences of not bedding down the F-35A aircraft at any of the candidate locations. Analysis of the No-Action Alternative provides a baseline, enabling decision makers to compare the magnitude of the environmental effects of no action to the effects of the Proposed Action.
• Action Alternatives – For the F-35A Training EIS, each candidate installation is an “alternative” for review in the EIS. Environmental impacts for each alternative will be analyzed for the No-Action Alternative and in six increments of 24 primary assigned aircraft.

Visit LukeForward.com to download a comment card to fill out in the convenience of your home.  You can bring the card to one of the five meetings.  Comments cards can also be completed on-line and sent via email or through the US Postal Service.  It’s quick, convenient and vital that the Air Force hears from supporters of the F-35 mission.

Tuesday, February 23 – Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort

RC Roberts Memorial Building, 11201 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage, Arizona Google Maps Link

Wednesday, February 24th – Communiversity @ Surprise

Thursday, February 25^{th –} Wickenburg High School Media Center

Friday, February 26^{th –} Wigwam Resort and Spa

1. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meetings in Arizona
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base