Page 16 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 7 2017

16 July 2017 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Thunderbolt http://www.luke.af.mil
Sends 3,000 Airm
by Staff Sgt.
hensive Airman Fitness. Balancing the four key areas of health - mental, physi- cal, social and spiritual - by promoting a culture of “people first” is fundamental to keeping an Airman resilient, adaptable, mission-focused and able to perform under challenging circumstances.
MARCY COPELAND
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Luke Airmen sort food at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Surprise as part of the Luke Service Blitz. Airmen from across Luke volunteered at more than 100 locations in Arizona to give back to the local community.
Senior Airman James Hensley
The second part focuses on serving the community with the general’s vision com- ing full circle so that Airmen are part of something greater than themselves fuel- ing the “whole person concept” of Compre-
By encouraging the four pillars of health and taking a step back from the daily rou- tine, Airmen have an opportunity to evalu- ate and reinforce their commitments to the wingman concept of integrity, service before self, and excellence in all they do.
Luke Airmen re Blitz featured m back to organiz
More than 3,000 Airmen visited more than 100 sites across the valley on June 16 to volunteer in the community during the Luke Service Blitz.
“It is pretty awesome to give back,” said Airman 1st Class Elliott Brown, 56th Op- eration Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment. “I’ve lived in Phoenix my whole life and now being in a position to give something back is personally rewarding and reaffirms why I joined the Air Force, to have the opportunity to give back.”
The Luke Service Blitz is the second part in a two-part action orientated platform designed to pause the day-to- day mission and focus on service to the community.
“The goal of this two-part platform is to demonstrate how serving and working as a team creates momentum, improves morale, nourishes our selfless culture, and fosters trust through an amazing sense of accomplishment by serving the lives of others and our community,” said Sharon Kozak, 56th Fighter Wing community support coordinator. “This service initia- tive is about putting the needs of others above our own, it’s about taking action to make the world a better place.”
Since the base first opened in 1941, the surrounding community has been sup- portive, generous, and caring for each Airman at Luke. By working in the com- munity, Airmen are able to reaffirm and strengthen those relationships and forge new ones while showing appreciation for Luke’s extended family beyond its gates.
Conceptualized by Brig. Gen. Brook Leonard, 56th FW commander, and Ko- zak, the first Wingman Day event was held at University of Phoenix Stadium in January and featured guest speakers sharing their experiences with the Air- men of Luke.
“The Airmen of the 56th Fighter Wing not only live in the community, we are part of the community,” said Leonard. “We have been planning this day since January with the goal of serving others. We know that when you take your focus off yourself and serve others, you build resilience and community.”
Senior Airman Devante Williams
Airman assigned to the 56th Medical Group repairs a bird cage at the Fall- en Feathers Wildlife Rescue operation center June 16, 2017 at Peoria, Ariz.
Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland
Capt. Peter Laughlin, 56th Dental Operation Squadron smiles while tying a ribbon on a care bag at Hospice of the Valley in Peoria. More than 3,000 Airmen volunteered in the surrounding community at more than 100 locations during the Luke Service Blitz to give back to the local community.
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