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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen” March 2020
Vol. 19, No. 3
INSIDE Easy riders ...
StorIES
Thunderbirds headline Luke
Days, 3
ALS grads, 4
New F-35 demo pilot, 5
AF song lyrics change, 8
Tuskegee Airmen, 9
944th medics have history, 12
FEAtUrE
Senior Airman Alex Cook
Courtesy photo More than 1,000 bikers drove down the runway Feb. 29 at Luke Air Force Base during the Mayor’s Big Dog Run. “I have
LUKE DAYS 2020 never felt more exhilarated on a bike than when I opened up the throttle on that runway, letting all of my stress fly away at
See Page 10 a steady 105 mph,” said Stefanie Bradley, riding a 2018 Heritage Classic Harley Davidson. Bradley is an Army veteran and
member of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, of which 36 other members also rode that day. To see more photos,
go to www.facebook.com/Luke56thFW/.
Luke ties to win Spark Tank 2020
Continue to get Luke’s latest
news and information from
these sources: https://www. Air Force News Service Spark Tank, which began utes to present their ideas ogy and logistics, was brought
aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ in 2017, is an annual compe- to the judging panel, which up to the stage to serve as the
https://www.luke.af.mil ORLANDO, Fla. — For tition in which Airmen are included Secretary of the Air tie breaker, but he determined
and social media the first time, two teams tied
as winners of the Spark Tank encouraged to submit their in- Force Barbara Barrett, Air that both teams had winning
2020 competition Feb. 28 at novative ideas to improve Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David ideas.
Luke56thFW @LukeAFB the Air Force Association’s Force processes and products. Goldfein, Chief Master Sgt. of “I am so energized by the
Air Warfare Symposium in The program is part of the Air the Air Force Kaleth Wright, creativity you bring,” Roper
Date of publication Orlando. Force’s effort to build and fur- Toni Townes-Whitley, presi- said. “I truly believe inno-
dent, U.S. Regulated Indus-
ther its culture of innovation
vation is a battlefield and
The winning ideas were
First Friday the Low Cost Threat Emitter and entrepreneurship. Airmen tries, Microsoft, and Gene Kim, you guys are winning it. You
of the month Replication submitted by 1st submit their ideas through Tripwire founder and author crushed it today.”
Lt. Daniel Treece, 56th Opera- the Ideascale website, and of “The Unicorn Project.” The Though only six finalists
Submission deadline tions Squadron, and the Weap- finalists are chosen to present judges had four minutes to were chosen to present their
15th day of the month ons Loading Smart Checklist their ideas to Air Force senior ask questions about each idea ideas at Spark Tank, more
prior to date of publication submitted by Chief Master leaders at the Air Warfare after it was presented. than 200 ideas were submit-
ted. Major commands host
Symposium. The finalists com-
The audience had access to a
Sgt. Gabriel Flagg, Master
Veterans Sgt. Gabrial Valenzuela and pete for the funding, personnel live poll to cast their votes dur- competitions throughout the
ing the event. Dr. Will Roper,
or other necessary resources to
year for those ideas that aren’t
Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Angley,
assigned to Spangdahlem Air implement their ideas. assistant secretary of the Air chosen, but may still be appro-
Tell us Your Story Base, Germany. Each team had three min- Force for acquisition, technol- priate for development.
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees
All military branches are included
Email name, phone number and a Go to www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
brief description of your service to
56fwpathunderbolt@us.af.mil or use your smartphone to connect to our website!
