Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) is proud to announce a new alumni organization. The Blue Blazer Squadron (BBS) is a tremendous opportunity for honorary commander alumni to continue to support the men women and families at Luke Air Force Base. The Blue Blazer Squadron is a group of active former honorary commanders, who have lived the mission at Luke through their experience on base and now want to continue to exercise their support by becoming a part of an exclusive FCP program. As a “Blue Blazer”, these individuals will be ambassadors and a visible representative of FCP to the community. They will also be a provider of service in support of FCP activities and fundraisers. Bruce Larson, Bravo class Chairman of the Blue Blazers stated that, “The best part of being a Blue Blazer is that we will have a great time working with and getting to know fellow Blue Blazers while supporting the mission of Fighter Country Partnership.”
The size of the active membership was originally limited to 56, however the restriction was lifted with BBS membership growth. A selection process was used to select the most passionate individuals. Each year, there will be an opportunity for honorary commander alumni to apply and join the Blue Blazer Squadron.
Beginning with the induction ceremony each January, the Blue Blazer Squadron will be actively involved in a few must attend critical events, along with other unique, significant and supportive activities under the direction of the Fighter Country Foundation board. One of these activities will occur the end of December when BBS marches in the Fiesta Bowl Parade escorting the brave men and women from Luke AFB while carrying the United States Flag balloon. Some other opportunities will include support and participation in the Honorary Commander golf tournament, active involvement in service opportunities for Luke AFB, and the annual Haboob Havoc, to name a few.
The Blue Blazer Squadron has been a work in progress for over a eight years with a committee of former honorary commanders from the base program working very hard to get the BBS firmly established. This group has been under the leadership of Patrick McDermott, the first Chairman of BBS, Bruce Larson, Daniel Ortega, Joshua Abel, Jason Klonoski, Steve Hoover, Ron Sites the Executive Director of FCP, and the Fighter Country Partnership Board. Patrick McDermott stated, “I am so excited to see this vision become a reality. The BBS is made up of a very special group of highly talented individuals who fully understand the mission at Luke having witnessed it first hand during their two years as an honorary commander. We now have an opportunity for honorary commander alumni to be involved with Fighter Country Partnership as it continues to meaningfully support the mission at Luke.”