Page 13 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt - Luke AFB History and Heritage, March 18 2022

12 March 18, 2022 History of Luke http://www.luke.af.mil LOYALTY RESCUE HEROES DOGS PARTNERS
Thunderbolt
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Towering over Fighter Country for more than 80 years COMMUNITY VETERANS HOPE PTS INSPIRE

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Aerotech News staff
Arizona’s harsh summers with ion Dogs, most of which are rescued from local shelters. The
The surrounding landscape powerful sandstorms and in- veteran and dog train together to build a trusting relationship
has changed, most of the original creased temperatures have faded
buildings have come and gone, the paint over the years, but re- that saves two lives at once and inspires countless others.
and the aircraft and mission pairs and maintenance have kept
have evolved over the years, but up the community landmark wel- SBF TRAINING “I’ve spent 22 years making
one towering symbol of Fighter coming visitors to Fighter Country. LOCATIONS my military career my life. I
Country at Luke Air Force Base, With its 500,000-gallon capacity, had no clue how difficult
Arizona, remains much the same. the water tower provides potable civilian life was going to be. PAST & PRESENT MILITARY AND DEPENDENTS,
It’s the tower beside Litchfield water to the east of the Maj. Troy Now, Koda is my battle bud-
Road which bears the words “Wel- Gilbert Memorial Bridge, and it Flagstaff dy. He seems to know when
come to Fighter Country,” that has serves as a connecting point for Prescott I need him and he keeps me
become an iconic symbol of Luke Luke and the surrounding commu- happy, laughing and calm.
AFB and the mission of the 56th nity. The tower is also cost effec-
Fighter Wing to train the world’s tive, using gravity to provide the Phoenix He’s even able to find Mom
greatest fighter pilots and combat pressure needed to supply water Tucson [Terry’s wife] when I need
ready Airmen. to the base. Sierra Vista Terry & Koda her, or be supportive when I FOR YOUR SERVICE.
Constructed in 1941, the water The water tower has withstood 2019 Graduates need a brace.”
tower is one of Luke AFB’s origi- the test of time as a permanent
nal structures from WWII, and a fixture of the base for more than Our services are provided at NO cost to the veteran, Show your MILITARY ID
landmark for the base years before 80 years and provides a permanent
houses and businesses popped up statement that this is where Luke thanks to the generous support of our community. $
in the area and GPS travel became Air Force Base is — and this is our for an extra 10 BONUS.
the norm. The tower could be seen mission. 307+ Veteran/dog teams have graduated 195+ Arizona homeless dogs have been
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Courtesy photo
The water tower can be seen in the background of a retreat ceremony
with members of the U.S Army Air Forces Women’s Auxiliary Corps. The WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR FAMILY’S ORAL
numbers of those serving were small, but their role was just as big as HEALTH, TRUST THE HANDS OF A SPECIALIST.
Courtesy photo that of the men they freed up for combat. The women are standing on
The water tower at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, has welcomed guests to Fighter Country for what was once the oval driveway of the headquarters building. The build-
years and withstood the test of time since its construction in 1941. The tower is a landmark for the ing is still standing at the base of the bridge at Litchfield and Thunder- WE’RE HAPPY TO BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOUR SMILE.
community and one of Luke’s oldest structures. bird, but serves a different purpose for the 56th Fighter Wing today.

THUNDERBiRDS (from Page 4) left wing, and his brother flew right wing. Prior to Kanaga’s reassignment in Sep- fall, Catledge left for Randolph AFB, Texas.
Kanaga flew the difficult slot position. The tember, McCormick moved to slot and the McCormick was the last of the original flyers WISDOM TEETH DENTAL IMPLANTS
First Lt. Aubry Brown arrived at Luke in diamond shape was the team’s basic forma- team used the spare aircraft to conduct some to leave the team in November 1954.
March 1953 to be an instructor pilot. Both tion. McCormick was the spare pilot and solo maneuvers. Catledge selected Brown In 1955, to show off the most advanced
McCormick and Brown were Korean War could fly slot. Brown served as the mainte- for that task. fighters, the team switched to the swept-
fighter pilots. Given the large number of nance officer, and Master Sgt. Earl Young The team stayed together until February wing Republic F-84F Thunderstreak. In PLATELET RICH FIBRIN TEETH-IN-A-DAY
aircraft at Luke, flying more than 400 sor- handpicked the team’s 21 maintenance 1954, when Charles Pattillo became a squad- 1956, the team switched aircraft again to the
ties per day, Air Training Command chose technicians. Brock served as the narrator ron director of operations and later squadron super-sonic North American F-100C Super
the base for its aerial demonstration team. and information officer. commander. In May 1954, Brown went back Sabre. To simplify maintenance and logistics,
Flying the subsonic, straight-winged Three weeks later, they gave their first to being an instructor pilot. A month later, the team moved from Luke AFB to Nellis
Republic F-84G Thunderjet, Maj. Richard performance to the chief of staff of the Air Cuthbert Pattillo became a squadron com- AFB, Nevada in 1956, where it has remained 18301 N. 79TH AVE BUILDING G SUITE 185, GLENDALE, AZ 85308 | 623-931-9197 | WWW.AZCTR4IMPLANTS.COM
Catledge flew lead. Charles Pattillo flew Force. mander. All three stayed at Luke. In the and flies the F-16 Fighting Falcon today.