Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt - Luke AFB History and Heritage, March 18 2022

2 March 18, 2022 History of Luke http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt History of Luke Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 3
March 18, 2022
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
PHONE NUMBERS Remembering Luke AFB’s namesake, Luke’s role in the mission over the years

Airman and Family Readiness Center .................... 623-856-6550
Airman’s Attic ......................................................... 623-856-6415
Armed Forces Bank ................................................ 623-535-9766 2nd Lt. Frank Luke Jr. by training programs in the F-104 Starfighter
Base Exchange main store ...................................... 623-935-2671 56th FiGHTEr WiNG and the F-5A Freedom Fighter.
Base taxi .................................................................. 623-856-6866 The A-7D Corsair arrived in 1969, but was
Beauty shop ............................................................. 623-536-1897 Public Affairs
Chapel ..................................................................... 623-856-6211 by all, the elder Luke, his wife, Tillie, and reassigned when the U.S. Air Force decided to
Chapel (after duty hours) ........................................ 623-856-5600 STEPHEN DELGADO their children flourished. Luke AFB has been a part of the Air Train- make Luke AFB the Air Force’s primary F-4
Child development center ....................................... 623-856-6338 Although the younger Luke lived a ing Command and Air Education Training Phantom II training base. The F-4 was used
Clothing sales .......................................................... 623-856-6310 Thunderbolt staff writer Command for approximately half of its life- extensively throughout the Vietnam War, due
Club Five Six .......................................................... 623-856-6446 short life of 21 years, he crammed in time and has been the largest fighter wing in to its ground-attacks and aerial roles. The
Command post ........................................................ 623-856-5600 Imagine Phoenix with only 5,000 more living than most people do who the United States Air Force since 1989. While first F-4 was assigned in 1971.
Commissary ............................................................ 623-935-3821 people, one high school, running live much longer lives. typical wings have three squadrons, Luke has The first of the Superfighters, the F-15
Community center ................................................... 623-856-7152 water in the Salt River, Arizona As a youth, Luke engaged in nu-
Computer IT service desk ..................................... DSN 945-2900 State University being called Tempe merous activities, such as horseback always had four or more. Eagle, was assigned to the base in 1974, fol-
Crime Stop .............................................................. 623-856-6666 Normal, and horses and horse-pulled riding, hiking and camping. He was “Even during World War II, Luke was the lowed in 1982 by the second Superfighter, the
Dental clinic ............................................................ 623-856-2273 buckboards as the standard means of known to spend days in the desert largest training base,” said Richard Griset, F-16 Fighting Falcon. Then the F-15E Strike
Dermatology ........................................................... 623-856-2273 56th Fighter Wing historian. “The training Eagle arrived in 1988.
Dining hall .............................................................. 623-856-6396 transportation. This was Phoenix in and mountains surrounding Phoenix. mission is a great mission and we’ve done it On Oct. 1, 1991, the 58th Training Wing
Dorm management .................................................. 623-856-7841 1897 and on May 19 of that year, an What’s more, he was a gifted athlete, for a long time. Since the very beginning we was re-designated a fighter wing, making
Education center ...................................................... 623-856-7722 aerial-combat legend was born, des- playing numerous sports at Phoenix have taken our pilots and trained them to fly Luke AFB the service’s primary F-16 train-
EMERGENCY ONLY ............................................................. 911 tined to become the namesake of what Union High School. Legend has it he
Equal opportunity .................................................... 623-856-7711 is now known as Luke Air Force Base. broke his collarbone during a football Courtesy photo our fighter aircraft.” ing base. Also in 1991, the F-15 was reas-
Eye clinic ................................................................ 623-856-7965 Frank Luke Jr. was the fifth of nine game but refused to come out of the World War I flying ace, Frank Luke During World War II, Luke Field produced signed, and four years later the F-15E was
Falcon Dunes Golf Course ...................................... 623-535-9334 children, born May 19 to parents who game. Jr. was called the Arizona Balloon 17,321 graduates from fighter training pro- reassigned.
Family health clinic ................................................. 623-856-2273 Buster. He is the namesake of Luke grams for the U.S. and its allies. In 1994, the 58th was re-designated and
Family housing ........................................................ 623-388-3515 had emigrated from Germany in 1874. Luke was known for his grittiness Field, which later became Luke Air After a brief period of inactivation, the moved to Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, and
Fire station .............................................................. 623-856-6641 Aviation would define Luke’s life, but and never-back-down attitude. While Force Base. the 56th Fighter Wing was reassigned from
Firestone Car Care .................................................. 623-271-8104 ironically, when he was born it would working at a copper mine, he was U.S. Air Force courtesy photo MacDill AFB to Luke AFB.
Fitness center .......................................................... 623-856-6241 be six years before the Wright Brothers known to have participated in bare- The Spad XIII is the oldest aircraft on On March 10, 2014, the first F-35A landed
Flight medicine ....................................................... 623-856-2273 flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. knuckle boxing matches, and to show He received his pilot training at display at the Luke Air Force Base
Food court ............................................................... 623-935-2671 Junior would inherit his restless his graceful side, he taught dancing. Kelly Field, Texas, and Rockwell Field, Air Park. The French-built Spad XIII at Luke, starting the next period in history.
Fort Tuthill .............................................................. 623-856-3401 and adventurous approach to life from He was also a deeply religious person. California, and upon completing it was equipped 16 U.S. Air Service pursuit From the AT-6 Texan in 1941, to the F-
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................... 623-856-6149 squadrons in World War I, including Lt. 35A Lightning II aircraft that we fly today,
Hobby shop ............................................................. 623-856-6722 his father who, after arriving in New However, Frank Luke Jr.’s world commissioned a second lieutenant in Luke has been home to a number of fighter
Housing assistance section ...................................... 623-856-7643 York, ventured out west and settled in took a profound turn when the United January 1918. He then sailed out of Frank Luke Jr.’s 27th Aero Squadron. aircraft. Since then, Luke has produced more
Housing facilities section ........................................ 623-856-3007 the Phoenix area. There was no form States entered World War I in 1917. New York Harbor to his first assign- A walk through the air park is a walk than 61,000 graduates from fighter training
Housing maintenance .............................................. 623-935-2676 of state government until 1881, so life He enlisted in the aviation section of ment in France. through decades of Air Force history, programs for the U.S. and its allies and has
Identification cards .................................................. 623-856-7832 was a tough prospect, but through it the Signal Corps Sept. 25 of that year. Luke would find himself at school with nine types of aircraft at the park
Information, tickets and travel ................................ 623-856-6000 again at the U.S. Aviation Instruction that have graced Luke’s runways. They earned its nickname, “Fighter Country.”
Law enforcement desk ............................................ 623-856-5970 Center, Issoudun, France, which was include the AT-6, F-84, F-86, F-100, Today, the 56th Fighter Wing, a unit which
Legal assistance ...................................................... 623-856-6901 F-104, T-33, F-4, F-15 and F-16. historically had some of the world’s greatest
Library ..................................................................... 623-856-7191 followed by an assignment at Orly, fighter pilots, continues the mission that has
Lodging office/switchboard .................................... 623-856-3941 France, to ferry new aircraft from the been identified with Luke AFB since 1941:
Maintenance control center ..................................... 623-856-5469 American Aviation Acceptance Park base was reactivated as Luke AFB during the training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and
Marine Corps .......................................................... 623-856-2417 for front-line units. Korean War. The base was initially equipped combat ready Airmen.
Marine Corps 24-hour duty desk ............................ 602-421-5806 In July, Luke was assigned to the with F-51 Mustang and F-84 Thunderjet “With the community support we have re-
Marketing ................................................................ 623-856-3245 famed 27th Pursuit Squadron, flying
Medical appointments ............................................. 623-856-2273 the SPAD XIII. The Squadron was aircraft. In 1957, Luke AFB joined the ceived over the years, it looks like we’ll be here
Military equal opportunity ...................................... 623-856-7711 Courtesy photo supersonic age when the North American a long while,” Griset said. “The F-35 program
Military pay ............................................................. 623-856-7028 commanded by Maj. Harold Hartney, Vintage map of Maricopa County showing Luke Field in the far side of the valley, and F-100 Super Sabre was assigned to the base. sets the future up for Luke Air Force Base
Navy Operations Support Center ............................ 602-353-3008 who soon afterward was replaced by many miles from the cities, in the early years of Luke Field. In 1964, Luke began foreign military sales to remain very significant as part of AETC.”
OB/GYN clinic ....................................................... 623-856-2273 Capt. Alfred Grant. Hartney assumed
Office of Special Investigations .............................. 623-856-6821 command of the 1st Pursuit Group.
Optometrist ............................................................. 623-856-2273 Grant and Luke did not get along.
Orthopedic clinic ..................................................... 623-856-2273 It was the disciplinarian, by-the-book NAMESAKE (from Page 2) but were attacked by a formation of Ger- netted him two more kills. He landed at the but made his way out of the aircraft and
Outdoor recreation .................................................. 623-856-6267 type versus the independent thinker. man Fokker aircraft. Luke shot down the French Aerodrome at Cigognes, where he headed for a nearby stream. He collapsed
Pass and registration ............................................... 623-856-4880 flight hours, and his life expectancy was ten lead aircraft and the wingman, but couldn’t spent the last night of his life. a short distance later and died.
Patient advocate ...................................................... 623-856-8968 There is an old saying, “Some people days in combat. locate Wehner, so he headed home. On his Luke returned to the 27th Fighter Squad- The Germans buried Luke the following
Pediatric clinic ........................................................ 623-856-2273 go by the book, and others write the Luke’s aerial combat debut started on
Pharmacy refill call-in ............................................. 623-856-3969 book.” Luke fit into the latter category, the shaky side. His SPAD XIII wasn’t way, he encountered another enemy balloon ron base the following morning, Sept. 29. day in the Murvaux cemetery. His body was
Photo services ......................................................... 623-856-6168 which got him into trouble from time ready when the flight took off. He was able and gave chase, causing it to crash inside He gave Grant his report of the previous retrieved two months later by American
Post Office ............................................................... 623-935-1343 to time. friendly lines. day’s mission and received a tongue lash- forces and buried at Meuse-Argonne Ameri-
Public affairs ........................................................... 623-856-6011 Luke’s first aerial combat occurred to take off later, hoping to catch the flight What’s more, he had shot down three ing for flying without authorization. Grant can Cemetery and Memorial, Romagne-
Recycling information ............................................ 623-856-4749 Aug. 16 and began a 45-day period of over the front. It turned out to be a contro- airplanes and two balloons in less than ten grounded Luke for an unspecified period, sous-Montfaucon, France.
Retiree Activities office .............................................623-856-3923 death-defying aviation. The average versial flight because he landed long after minutes. Unfortunately, his friend Wehner but instead, he boarded his aircraft and Luke was posthumously awarded the
Rodgers Travel ........................................................ 623-856-6894 the squadron returned. His airplane was had been downed in enemy territory and took off to a forward airfield at Verdun, Medal of Honor — the first aviator to receive
Safety ...................................................................... 623-856-6941 Courtesy photo WWI Airman entered combat with ten riddled with bullets and Luke claimed to died from his wounds. His death deeply France. He was arrested on Grant’s orders. this honor.
Security forces .........................................................623-856-5970 Second Lt. Frank Luke Jr. with his SPAD S.XIII on Sept. 19, 1918. See NAMESAKE, Page 3 have shot down a German Fokker aircraft.
Security incidents .................................................... 623-856-7777 affected Luke, leaving him sad and lonely. However, Hartney landed at Verdun soon He flew 11 sorties in eight days, shoot-
Service calls CE maintenance ................................. 623-856-7232 However, his squadron mates, includ- In the succeeding days he began to fly afterward. Luke asked Hartney for permis- ing down 14 observation balloons and four
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response ...................... 623-856-4878 ing Grant, doubted his claim because he whenever he wanted and was occasion- sion to attack three observation balloons airplanes.
Shoppette ................................................................. 623-266-0040 Thunderbolt editorial staff Luke Air Force Base website and social media and is the source for articles and couldn’t verify it. The only exception was ally absent without leave. Battle fatigue near Verdun. He received permission and Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker later wrote
Sick call ................................................................... 623-856-2273 Publisher ....................................................Aerotech News and Review photos published in the Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt editor is authorized to use 1st Lt. Joseph Wehner. He believed Luke, and Wehner’s death were taking a toll on took off on schedule. of Luke, “He was the most daring aviator
South Gate VRC ...................................................... 623-856-4768 Editor ................................................................................. Jenna Bigham photos and articles from other .mil or .gov websites. and from that day forth the duo became Luke. He had become moody and silent, What exactly happened during the mis- and greatest fighter pilot of the entire war.
Submission deadline is at noon the 15th day prior to the month of publication.
Straight-Talk line ..................................................... 623-856-7064 Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie Contributions for the Thunderbolt can be made via email to jenna@aerotechnews. inseparable friends. and Hartney ordered him to take leave sion is shrouded in mystery, with numerous No other ace, even the dreaded German
Telephone repair (Base) .......................................... 623-856-4400 Advertising sales ................................................................ 877-247-9288 com. The editor can be reached at jenna@aerotechnews.com. Luke’s exploits in the next five weeks
Thrift store .............................................................. 623-935-5782 Luke Air Force Base The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air for five days. versions as to how Luke died. ace, Manfred von Richthofen, known as
Ticket/tour office ..................................................... 623-856-6000 Commander.................................................Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is han- would be the stuff of legend. He earned He returned Sept. 25, the one-year an- The story accepted by most military the Red Baron, ever came close to Luke’s
Travco ......................................................................855-896-7939 Public affairs chief ..................................................Maj. Candice Dillitte dled by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 877-247-9288. his nickname, the Arizona Balloon Buster, niversary of his enlistment, with four days historians is that Luke successfully shot achievements.”
Travel management office household goods ........... 623-856-6425 Command information ..................... Master Sgt. Holly Roberts-Davis Contents of the Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or en- by shooting down 14 enemy observation left to live. down the three balloons, but received a se- The Army Air Corps renamed the newly
TMO passenger travel ............................................. 623-856-7035 dorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department balloons. Luke flew missions Sept. 26, 28 and vere wound from a machine gun fired from opened Litchfield Park Field to Luke Field
Transient alert ......................................................... 623-856-6204 Editorial Information of the Air Force. However, his Sept. 18 mission, while suc- his final mission Sept. 29. He was having a hilltop about a mile from where he shot June 6, 1941. Since that time, Luke Field/
Travel pay ............................................................... 623-856-7028 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supple- cessful in shooting down enemy aircraft, constant conflicts with Grant, who realized down the final balloon. The bullet entered Air Force Base has trained and graduated
Vehicle maintenance ............................................... 623-935-6576 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ and click on PDF edition ments, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by would have a devastating ending. Luke’s he had no control over Luke. Grant talked under the right armpit. more than 61,000 pilots who fly in the spirit
Veterinary services .................................................. 623-856-6354 The Thunderbolt is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no the DOD, the DAF or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this
Weather ................................................................... 623-856-6805 way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 56th publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard best friend, Wehner, had been shot down. with Hartney about authorizing Luke to fly Luke landed in a field near the small and tradition of Lt. Frank Luke.
to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap,
Wellness center ....................................................... 623-856-2273 Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This civilian enterprise Air Force news- political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. All The duo had a late takeoff time looking as a lone wolf, but despite their conversa- village of Murvaux, France, after strafing Contributors to this story include Richard
paper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. military services.
Youth center ............................................................ 623-856-7470 The 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office prepares all editorial content for the photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. for enemy observation balloons. They suc- tion, Luke took off in his SPAD XIII with- a band of German soldiers on the ground. Griset, 56th Fighter Wing historian, the Na-
cessfully found and destroyed two balloons out authorization. His unauthorized flight He was severely weakened by his wound, tional Aviation Hall of Fame and Wikipedia.