Page 3 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt August 2016
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Thunderbolt NEWS August 2016 3
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Staff Sgt. Arthur Verchot, 372nd Training Squadron, Detachment 12, F-35 Mission-Ready Airmen class in- IN BRIEF
structor, goes over the course orientation June 30, 2016 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This is the first F-35
MRA class held at Luke. Stand up for vets
Luke begins F-35 MRA course The 4th Annual Glendale Stand Up For Veterans Arizona
is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Glendale Community Col-
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Staff Sgt.Arthur Verchot, Det. 12 F-35 MRA instructor, lege Student Union at 6000 W. Olive Avenue, Glendale 85302.
STACI MILLER spent time at Eglin AFB, teaching the F-35 MRA students Employment opportunities, social services for vets, court rep-
there and now brings his experience to the Luke team. resentatives and attorneys along with free haircuts for vets
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and free lunch for veterans and their families are included. To
“We will see a vast change in the Airmen as the course register, go to www.glendalestandup.org.
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Five Airmen progresses,” Verchot said. “This will be the rst time
are a little closer to becoming F-35A Lightning II crew they’ve seen the F-35 up close. It is normal for them to be Flightline feast
chiefs as Luke began its rst F-35 Lightning II Mission- nervous or timid at rst, but we get to see them change
Ready Airmen training class June 30. and evolve into great maintainers. When they leave The Luke Community Chapel is featuring a free Hawaiian
here, they will be launching, recovering and servicing Feast 5:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Bldg. 914 re pit (same location as the
“It’s exciting to be the rst F-35 MRA class at Luke,” F-35s. They’ll be at the center of the Air Force mission.” chief’s burger burn). The menu is kalua pork, teriyaki chicken,
said Airman Kyle George, Detachment 12, 372nd Train- rice, stir fried vegetables, salad, fruit, dessert and beverages.
ing Squadron F-35 MRA student. “It’s a unique experi- Maintenance training for the F-35 is as advanced as
ence to be on the cutting edge.” the aircraft itself. UFC Fight Night Diaz vs. McGregor
This course is the nal step following months of “Compared to other airframes, the maintenance time The UFC ght night features Dias vs. McGregor and will be
training. After completing basic military training, the for the F-35 is cut in half,” Verchot said. “We’re able to shown at 4 p.m. Aug. 20 at Club Five Six. Admission is free for
students headed to Sheppard AFB, Texas, for aircraft hook a computer to the jet, and it lets us know what’s club members and $5 per nonmember. Free snacks and food
fundamentals with the 372nd TRS. Then it was on to Eg- going on and what we need to repair it.” specials. Free soft drinks will be provided to designated drivers.
lin AFB, Fla., for F-35-speci c training with the 359th For more information, call 623-856-6446.
Training Squadron. Now, they are at Luke under the The Airmen will eventually be tasked with keeping
372nd TRS, Det. 12, to test their ability to apply their F-35s in the air, but for now, their mission is to learn Exchange sweepstakes
training in an operational environment. as much as possible.
From now through Aug. 31, authorized shoppers can enter
“We’re here to give them actual hands-on F-35 train- “It’s really great to nally get to put my hands on the to win one of six Tele ora bouquets valued at $83 at the Luke
ing, take them out to the ightline and show them the jet, launch them out and see them actually y,” George Air Force Base Exchange. No purchase is necessary to enter
ins-and-outs of how to maintain this aircraft,” said said. “The F-35 is the biggest, baddest, newest thing or win. For more information, go to www.shopmyexchange.
Master Sgt. Gabriel Sistrunk, 372nd TRS, Det. 12 chief. we have in the Air Force. It’s pretty special to be part com/sweepstakes.
“Out of 34 days, two or three will be in the classroom of the program.”
and the rest of the time is going to be out working at Before and after school care
the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit.” Luke is currently only housing one F-35 MRA class
but is scheduled to run six classes at a time and gradu- Register now for the before and after school care program,
ate 200 to 300 students a year. which provides breakfast, transportation to and from Luke
Elementary, Barbara B. Robey Elementary and Dreaming
THUNDERBOLT ALMANAC Summit schools. The Heritage Elementary school bus picks
up and drops off at the 56th Force Support Squadron Youth
Fiscal 2016 graduates Center. An after-school snack and recreational programs for
school-age children are also included. For more information,
61st FS.......................................................... 35 314th FS ...................................................... 32 call 623-856-7471.
62nd FS........................................................... 0 56th TRS...................................................... 41
309th FS ....................................................... 25 607th ACS.................................................. 176 Sweepstakes
310th FS ....................................................... 62 372nd TRS, Det. 12 ..................................... 31
311th FS ....................................................... 38 56th OSS (IFTU) ........................................... 0 The Luke Air Force Base Exchange is offering the Axe Back to
School Sweepstakes today to Sept. 1. Authorized shoppers can
F-35 Hours own Sorties own T-Bolts 123 Luke Airmen enter for a chance to win one of 25 $500 Exchange gift cards.
F-16 Deployed are deployed to Shoppers 18 and above can login to shopmyexchange.com/
5,672.2 3,749 sweepstakes to enter. No purchase is necessary, and entrants
13,334.0 9,560 13 countries do not need to be present to win. The drawings will take place
around the world. on or around Sept. 8.
Toastmasters on base
Toastmasters meets noon to 1 p.m. Thursday in Bldg. 1150, 3rd
Floor Conference Room. Improve communication and leadership
skills through friendly, constructive exercises involving prepared
and impromptu speaking, and group leadership. Instructional ma-
terials are provided.The cost is $20 to join and $7 per month there-
after. For more information, call Lynne Nutter at 623-856-8711.
‘Chicago’ auditions
The Luke Experience is holding auditions for the musical
“Chicago” at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 and 11 at the base theater. For more
information, call Lacey Quattlebaum at 623-856-9949.
Back-to-school physicals
The 56th Medical Group is offering camp, sports and school
physicals through Aug. 23. To schedule or for more information,
call 623-856-2273.
Comprehensive Airman Fitness training
Comprehensive Airman Fitness Training is Sept. 20 through
22 and Dec. 20 through 22. It is a three-day course for Airmen or
Defense Department employees who endorse the resiliency pro-
gram. Resilience training assistants provide awareness education
and skill development techniques for Airmen and their families
while enhancing individual resilience across the four domains of
CAF: mental, physical, social, and spiritual. For more information,
or to schedule a particular skill training for your unit or squadron
before the dates, call Sharon Kozak at 623-856-2716.
Dinning room change
The Ray V. Hensman Dining Facility is undergoing reno-
vation. Dining has been moved to the Jade Room. For more
information, call Tech. Sgt. Sindy Nazon at 623-856-6238.
