Page 3 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, December 2021

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December 2021 3 Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
52 FS holds
first F-35
Change of
Command
Story and photo by master Sgt. LouiS VegA JR.
944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 52nd Fighter Squadron celebrated a major milestone by holding their first ever F-35 change of command ceremony on Oct. 29, since being reactivated earlier this year at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
During the ceremony, Reserve Citizen Airman Lt. Col. Wyckliffe ‘Slammer’ Furcron, 52nd Fighter Squadron outgoing commander, relinquished command, inviting Lt. Col. William ‘Grind’ Wisehart, incoming commander, to assume leadership of the squadron.
Reserve Citizen Airman Col. Brett Comer, 944th Operations Group commander, presided over the event and recognized Furcron for his leadership.
“Slammer is a very detail orientated fighter pilot with a lot of great ideas,” Comer said. “He is highly intel- ligent, an excellent leader, and an awesome instructor pilot. Slammer, it’s been an honor working with you. I wish you nothing but the best, well done.”
Furcron thanked those that helped him and looked back on what his team accomplished.
“We have assembled the most talented group of pilots, I think, there stands to be,” Furcron said. “Grind, you’re obviously the right man for the job. I know you got a vi- sion and I know you got 40 Ninjas behind you. Bonzai.”
Comer spoke about what impressed him about Wise- hart and provided him some foresight.
“Grind rose to the top of my list,” Comer said, when tasked to pick his next fighter squadron commander. “He instantly impressed me not only with his resume, but with his intelligence and ability to breakdown com- plex problems. I want you to know that you are about to embark on a very challenging yet rewarding journey. I’m so excited to see where you take the Ninjas next.”
Wisehart will be responsible for over 35 full and part- time F-35 Lightning II instructor pilots. The 52nd FS is the newest fighter squadron within the 944th Op- erations Group, having grown from a detachment to a squadron approximately three months ago. Previously, the squadron had been deactivated since June 1951.
“Over the past few weeks I’ve been asked by many good friends if I was excited,” said Wisehart. “I knew in my heart excited didn’t really capture my feelings. Honored, humbled, and hopeful... These three words better captured my heart leading up to this day. To my brother Ninjas, I am honored to be your servant leader.”
Reserve Citizen Airman Col. Brett Comer, 944th Operations Group commander, passes the 52nd Fighter Squadron
guidon to Reserve Citizen Airman Lt. Col. William Wisehart, 52nd FS incoming commander, during a change of command ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, October 29. Wisehart will be responsible for over 35 full and part-time F-35 Lightning II instructor pilots.
Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing PA
Prepare for Luke Days 2022
Luke Days, the premier air show in the Phoenix area, will be returning to the skies on March 19-20, 2022.
The USAF Thunderbirds demonstration team will headline the free event, along with dozens of aerial acts performing throughout the two-day show. Luke Days is the first show on the Thunderbirds’ 2022 schedule.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome the USAF Thunderbirds back to Luke to headline the return to Luke Days,” said Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander. “After a couple of tough years tackling COVID-19, we are all looking
forward to welcoming all our communities and guests to celebrate the pinnacle of aviation performance next year!”
Concerns surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak led to the cancellation of Luke Days 2020. Luke AFB leaders decided against attempting to host an air show in 2021 to prioritize the safety of the com- munity.
As the date gets closer, stay tuned to our social media accounts or website for updates on perfor- mances, appearances and more details. For questions, please call the Luke AFB Public Affairs Office at (623) 856-6011.
ATTN ALL PERSONNEL:
Brigadier General Gregory Kreuder respectfully announces the death of TSgt Kevin Shelton. Any- one having claims for or against the estate should contact Second Lieutenant Meghan Callahan, Sum- mary Court Officer, at 623-856-2960, or by email at meghan.callahan@us.af.mil.