May 12, 2011 – Ron Sites from Fighter Country Partnership will talk with John today live at 10:00AM, from the roof!  Tune in live here.

John Vance, GM at Peoria Nissan, is trading his suits for shorts. Starting May 6, he’ll be Stuck on the Roof, living, working and broadcasting live via Webcam from the rooftop at 9151 W. Bell Road. And for the second year in a row, he’ll be using the power of the Internet and the dealership’s considerable Web presence to help raise awareness of the mission, goals and volunteer, fundraising needs of local nonprofit organizations.

Initially conceived to support the Nissan National Tent Event, Vance takes the opportunity to blend a retail event with the dealership philosophy of “Doing Good While Doing Well”. Last year focused on topics like skin cancer prevention, infant swim safety, the dangers of drinking and boating and pet safety during the harsh Arizona summers. This year, The Rooftop Cause Network highlights local nonprofits who have seen a drop in funding and participation since the recession began in an effort to reintroduce them to the community that benefits from their services.

The inaugural awareness event got an overwhelming positive community response. A few though, have wondered why a retail business would continue to devote time, energy and even a portion of his own advertising budget to efforts other than selling cars.

1. Scottsdale Gun Club Selects FCP as Beneficiary During Opening of SGC|Peoria
2. Peoria mayor urges Luke Air Force Base support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Ania Kubicki/Brooke Rodda

ANGLES Public Relations

480-656-8388

E: brooke@anglespr.com

SCOTTSDALE GUN CLUB SELECTS FIGHTER COUNTRY PARTNERSHIP

AS BENEFICIARY DURING OPENING OF SGC | PEORIA

**Commemorative Bricks Sales Start at the April 9^th Grand Opening**

Scottsdale, Ariz., March 30, 2011 –   In early April members of the public will have a chance to put their personal stamp to commemorate the opening of The Scottsdale Gun Club’s newest store in  Peoria, situated on the northeast corner of 83rd Avenue and Thunderbird.

The April 9^th opening of the retail component for SGC|Peoria will also serve as the official kick-off celebration for the development of what will become the nation’s largest indoor gun range.   Nearly twice the size of the original Scottsdale Gun Club, upon completion SGC|Peoria will be a massive 60,000 square-foot facility.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, SGC|Peoria will be selling commemorative bricks that will line the entryway of the future shooting range.    Upon completion of construction, the engraved bricks will be unveiled to the public.

The four-inch-by-eight-inch bricks will cost $50.00 each, and purchasers will be able to engrave their names, and various messages, in 60 characters or less, on the brick pavers.  Various military and armed forces insignia will also be available.

“This is a great way for every resident to become a part of our newest club and help us celebrate the expansion and new beginning for the SGC family of ranges,” said Terry Schmidt. “As we move toward the completion of the nation’s largest indoor shooting range we wanted to create a way for everyone in the community to be involved.”

Proceeds from the brick sales will benefit Fighter Country Partnership (FCP), a leading community support and advocacy group for the aid, operation and preservation of Luke Air Force Base.

FCP was founded in 1997 by concerned civic, business and elected officials concerned by future development which could create encroachment concerns.  The mission of FCP is to sustain a high level of support for the men, women and families of Luke AFB and to protect and enhance its mission – to train the world’s best pilots, maintainers and support personnel while deploying mission ready war fighters.

“We are honored to be selected as beneficiary by the SGC Family,” said Ron Sites, Executive Director and President of the Fighter Country Partnership. “Fighter Country Partnership is proudly supported by diverse group of community leaders who want to ensure Luke AFB’s success and future in Arizona.  Our ability to succeed in our mission is directly proportional to the funding and community support we see.  We are excited to have such a great partner in SGC|Peoria.”

A public grand opening celebration for SGC|Peoria retail store is planned for April 9^th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Renderings, plans and detailed construction timeline will be available to the public at the Grand Opening event of the retail location on April 9^th.    Memberships, as well as limited Charter Memberships, will be available for purchase.  Members will benefit from reciprocal agreements between all current and future SGC locations.

The public is invited to attend the daylong celebration, which will be highlighted by exclusive vendor demos, prizes, giveaways and fun activities for the entire family.

What:               SGC|Peoria Grand Opening

When:              April 9^th form 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where:            8258 W. Thunderbird Rd., Ste 203 Peoria, AZ  85381 (NE corner of 83^rd and Thunderbird)

ABOUT SGC| Global Industries

SGC|GLOBAL INDUSTRIES is a family of companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions for a changing world.  Founded in 1999, the Company’s first endeavor was The Scottsdale Gun Club, a prestigious indoor shooting range located in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA and recognized by the National Association of Shooting Ranges as a Five Star Facility.  SGC|Global Industries owns and operates The Scottsdale Gun Club, SGC|Peoria, SGC|USA, SGC|Tactical and US PALM.   For more information please visit www.ScottsdaleGunClub.com, www.sgc-peoria.com or call: 480.222.4369

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1. FCP @ Scottsdale Airshow 2011
2. FCP appears at Peoria Nissan’s Stuck on the Roof
3. Fourth of July Freedom Fest at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Please show your support and participate in the auction which extends through the 2nd Annual Patriot Day Celebration this Saturday, September 11, 2010. Details about the event can be found here.

To make a bid on any of the please click here and fill out the form or contact the Fighter Country office.

Online bidding is now closed and continues tomorrow at the event from 1PM to 6PM, when the winners are announced.  See you there!

Auction Items and bids as of 9/10/2010:

Current Bid: $300 on 3 Bottles of 1982 Chateau Ducru –Beaucaillou, Saint Julien
Current Bid: $3000 on 8 Days in Hawaii at the Hyatt Maui & Four Seasons Maui
Current Bid: $1500 on 5 Days in Hawaii at the Kauai Hyatt
Current Bid: $150 on Party for 10 including half-day horseback ride plus picnic lunch
Current Bid: $100 on Lunch for 4 with Senator Russell Pearce
Current Bid: $550 on 2 First Class Round-trip tickets anywhere in continental US, Canada, Mexico & Caribbean +2 nights in Miami FL
Current Bid: $200 on Scottsdale Gun Club Annual Membership +
Current Bid: $225 on Handcrafted Custom Made Knife
Current Bid: $60 on Ride in a Beechcraft T-34 Mentor
Current Bid: $95 on Ride in a N. American T-6 Texan
Current Bid: $50 on Ride in a Piper PA-28 Turbo Arrow
Current Bid: $75 on Sun Country Aviation Discovery Flight
Current Bid: 50 on Arizona Aviation Discovery Flight

We look forward to a strong showing this year, don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to support your local Air Force base – Luke Field!

1. Fighter Country Foundation
2. Senator John McCain Honored by Fighter Country
3. Silent Auction for the 2011 HC Golf Tournament

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

FCP Chairman Charley Freericks & City of Surprise Mayor Barrett shake hands as the City of Surprise donates $25K

Mayor Barrett and the City of Surprise donates $25,000 to Fighter Country Partnership.  FCP CEO & Executive Director Steven Yamamori thanks the City of Surprise for supporting the men, women, families and mission of Luke Air Force Base through their generous contribution!

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. Peoria mayor urges Luke Air Force Base support
3. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Fighter Country Partnership) PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today adopted an agreement to resolve a long-standing issue involving residential encroachment around Luke Air Force Base at a special meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors held at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park.

“I’d like to thank key leaders and their staff who joined me in reaching this important resolution that the Supervisors adopted today, including Senator John Nelson, Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Senator John McCain,” said Governor Brewer. “It is a testament to our state officials who came together in a unified and cooperative spirit to uphold the health and welfare of our citizens, preserve the rights of property owners as well as the success of the State’s military bases. Our unified agreement will no doubt make clear to the U. S. Defense Department that Arizona stands ready for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission.”

“This agreement represents a major victory for the citizens of Arizona,” Goddard said. “It upholds state law, protects the health and safety of nearby residents and strengthens Luke’s bid for the F-35. It also shows what can be accomplished when a commitment to serve the greater good prevails over political and policy differences.”

The settlement agreement reached between the parties provides that the County will not issue building permits for new or expanded residential construction in high noise and accident potential zones.
“We always knew that protecting Luke was our common, unifying thread,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Stapley. “But working together on this agreement, those bonds and communication are stronger. Those bonds will serve us well in the future.”

“The Governor has always been a strong supporter of Luke Air Force Base,” said Supervisor Max W. Wilson. “This agreement protects the base, its mission and its future. It gives Maricopa County taxpayers a measure of protection as well.”

Luke Air Force Base injects over $2 billion a year into Arizona’s economy.

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Office of the Governor
(602) 542-1342
psenseman@az.gov

Steve M. Wilson
Attorney General’s Office
(602) 542-8351
Steve.Wilson@azag.gov

Richard de Uriarte
Maricopa County Board
of Supervisors
(602) 506-7232
deuriarter@mail.maricopa.gov

Download a PDF here.

1. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment
2. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
3. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base

McCain received a standing ovation from more than 250 members and guests in attendance as he was presented with The Wing Coin and Chairman’s Award by Brigadier General Kurt Neubauer, 56^th Fighter Wing Commander, and Charley Freericks, Chairman of Fighter Country Partnership’s board of directors.

“We were honored to have Senator McCain attend our annual meeting. It gave our members a chance to hear Arizona’s rich history of support and protection for Luke and its mission,” said Freericks. “We are fortunate that along with overwhelming community support, we also have unprecedented legislative and congressional support.”

Senator McCain spoke about the importance of community support organizations like Fighter Country Partnership in keeping Arizona’s military installations open and active.

“Fighter Country Partnership has done an outstanding job in providing high quality programs, events and services for our troops,” said Senator John McCain.  “Their tireless dedication to the welfare of our service members and their families at Luke is extraordinary, and I’m honored to be recognized by the Partnership tonight. “

Fighter Country Partnership is a not-for-profit organization that supports the men, women, families and mission of Luke Air Force Base through a variety of public advocacy efforts and support programs. The organization’s Fighter Country Foundation, with the financial support of community sponsors, provides care packages for military members deployed, and activities and financial support for the families of those military service men and women.

Each year, Fighter Country provides more than $100,000 of direct support to programs and events on Base and in the last few years has raised more than $2 million to assist families of Airmen killed in the line of duty.

Fighter Country Partnership is a leader in the effort to ensure that Luke Air Force Base continues as the training base for the new F-35 and its military personnel through the “Luke Forward” campaign, which has already registered over 14,000 community supporters.

Learn more about that effort at www.LukeForward.com, and more about Fighter Country Partnership and the Fighter Country Foundation at www.fightercountry.org

For more information, contact:

Brooke Buchanan, Communications Director, Senator John McCain at (202) 295-7831

Steve Yamamori, Executive Director/CEO, Fighter Country Partnership at (602) 369-3531

John Schell, Intergovernmental Affairs Director, City of Peoria at (623) 695-0573

1. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
2. McCain cautions F-35 supporters about encroachment
3. 9/11 Silent Auction to benefit Fighter Country Foundation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 18, 2009

OVER 10,000 ARIZONANS REGISTER THEIR SUPPORT FOR LUKE TO SERVE AS F-35 TRAINING BASE

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Nearly 10,000 people have registered their support for the new F-35 training mission coming to Luke Air Force Base since Gov. Jan Brewer, Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and other elected officials launched a campaign last month to generate awareness of the positive impacts the Air Force’s next generation strike fighter will bring to Arizona.

Luke Forward organizers, who had set a goal of having 5,000 registered supporters by the end of the year, are thrilled with the level of support the campaign has received thus far.

“The response has been overwhelming,” said Scruggs, who is co-chairing Luke Forward with Charley Freericks, chairman of Fighter Country Partnership. “We knew there were a lot of Luke supporters throughout the state, and this campaign is providing them an opportunity to officially show that support. We are encouraging people to continue registering their support as there is still a lot of work to be done.”

People can register their support at www.LukeForward.com.

“With the recent announcement that Luke Air Force Base is one of five bases nationwide being considered by the Air Force to receive the new F-35 or joint strike fighter training mission, it’s important the state and communities surrounding Luke send a strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona wants Luke to continue to serve as the country’s premier fighter pilot training facility,” said Freericks.

It is anticipated the Air Force will soon begin holding public “scoping” meetings in advance of its Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process at Luke and the other candidate bases. Both the scoping meetings and the eventual EIS process allow individual citizens and communities around the candidate bases to provide input during the formal assessment of each base.

Based on the results of the EIS, the Air Force is expected to announce its F-35 preferred basing locations in late spring 2010 with the release of its draft EIS.

Once that process is completed, the Air Force will issue its “record of decision” and announce its final basing decision. This announcement is anticipated to be made in early 2011.

The Luke Forward campaign was developed 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. For more information on Luke Forward or to schedule a business or community presentation, call 623-882-2191 or visit www.LukeForward.com.

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1. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
2. Arizona Congressional Delegation Unite…
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base

ARIZONA’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION UNITES IN SUPPORT OF THE F-35 MISSION COMING TO LUKE AFB

Phoenix, Ariz. – Arizona’s congressional delegation supports the new F-35 mission landing at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.

In a unified showing, the state’s eight members of the House of Representatives and two members of the Senate said in a recent letter that Luke AFB, with its robust and modern infrastructure, provides the Air Force with a site that is extremely well-suited to support the fighter tactics and training required by the F-35 Lightning II.

Arizona’s congressional delegation sent the letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and General Norton Schwartz, chief of staff for the Air Force, on October 15. Senators John McCain and Jon Kyl, along with Representatives Ann Kirkpatrick (District 1), Trent Franks (District 2), John Shadegg (District 3), Ed Pastor (District 4), Harry Mitchell (District 5), Jeff Flake (District 6), Raul Grijalva (District 7) and Gabrielle Giffords (District 8), all signed the letter.

In the letter, Arizona’s representatives in Washington, D.C., say: “We have worked together to enable Luke AFB and the Barry M. Goldwater Range to remain vital national assets in the Air Force’s support of the global contingency operations.”

The congressional letter is being well received by local Luke supporters.

“To have Arizona’s entire congressional delegation unify and show their unwavering support of Luke Air Force Base is a very significant step forward in helping secure Luke’s future mission,” said Charley Freericks, co-chair of the Luke Forward campaign that was recently launched to bring the F-35 to Luke AFB.

Luke is currently the largest active-duty F-16 training base in the world, and the Air Force is planning to begin replacing its fleet of F-16s with the new F-35 within the next few years.

The Luke Forward campaign is a statewide initiative developed to send a strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke AFB continuing to be the country’s premier fighter pilot training facility. The campaign will also raise awareness of the critical role Luke serves in the nation’s defense and in the state’s economy.

1. Davis County Commission Letter Supports F-35 Squadron to Hill Air Force Base
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meetings in Arizona
3. Gov. Jan Brewer heading to D.C.