Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, April 2021

2 April 2021 Commentary http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt news Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 3
April 2021
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
PHONE NUMBERS New Air Force Reservist has servant’s heart 944th MSG enhances wartime readiness

Airman and Family Readiness Center .................... 623-856-6550 by Master Sgt. long hard look at the nursing career
Airman’s Attic ......................................................... 623-856-6415
Armed Forces Bank ................................................ 623-535-9766 LouiS VegA field and the diversity it offered. Story and photos by Tech. Sgt.
Base Exchange main store ...................................... 623-935-2671 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs “With EMT paramedic firefight- neSToR CRuz
Base taxi .................................................................. 623-856-6866 ing, I would be locking myself into
Beauty shop ............................................................. 623-536-1897 The Air Force Reserve is always one specific career field,” said Fal- 944th Fighter Wing
Chapel ..................................................................... 623-856-6211 looking for highly motivated indi- cone. “Thinking back to my hockey Reserve Citizen Airmen from the 944th
Chapel (after duty hours) ........................................ 623-856-5600 viduals who want to use what they experience (all my eggs in one
Child development center ....................................... 623-856-6338 have learned in the civilian sector basket), it freaked me out a little Mission Support Group came together
Clothing sales .......................................................... 623-856-6310 to serve their country. Everyone has March 5 at Camp Navajo, Bellemont, Ari-
Club Five Six .......................................................... 623-856-6446 bit. Nursing seemed like a better zona, for a four-day training exercise.
Command post ........................................................ 623-856-5600 unique experiences that can help lifestyle for me.” The exercise was the first of its kind
Commissary ............................................................ 623-935-3821 mission effectiveness. Recently, one Just after receiving a bachelor’s conducted by the 944th MSG, aimed at
Community center ................................................... 623-856-7152 health professional shared why he degree in Nursing from Grand bringing together four very different squad-
Computer IT service desk ..................................... DSN 945-2900 made the decision to commission in Canyon University, Falcone had an rons with different missions in a simulated
Crime Stop .............................................................. 623-856-6666 the Air Force. experience that would solidify his deployed environment.
Dental clinic ............................................................ 623-856-2273 Timothy Falcone, Grand Canyon decision to commission and bring
Dermatology ........................................................... 623-856-2273 University clinical lab instructor his inevitable life path full circle. “Many times the squadrons conducted
Dining hall .............................................................. 623-856-6396 training individually, but as we know when
Dorm management .................................................. 623-856-7841 and health professional, took the “I was asked if I would be will- we go on deployment, we’re usually work-
Education center ...................................................... 623-856-7722 plunge and commissioned Feb. 24 ing to provide care for a very high ing with other squadrons with different
EMERGENCY ONLY ............................................................. 911 to become a Reserve Citizen Airman profile client,” said Falcone. “They specialties,” said Chief Master Sgt. Michelle
Equal opportunity .................................................... 623-856-7711 with the 944th Aeromedical Staging asked if I would be willing to be Harvey, 944th MSG superintendent. “So the
Eye clinic ................................................................ 623-856-7965 Squadron at Luke Air Force Base. with this family during Christmas vision was to take the four squadrons under
Falcon Dunes Golf Course ...................................... 623-535-9334 His journey to this new life adven- and I would be basically staying
Family health clinic ................................................. 623-856-2273 ture began late September 1981 in with them and taking care of this our group and have them work together as
Family housing ........................................................ 623-388-3515 Okinawa, Japan. one team.” Airmen with the 944th Mission Sup-
Fire station .............................................................. 623-856-6641 patient.” The idea of multiple squadrons within a port Group receive classroom in-
Firestone Car Care .................................................. 623-271-8104 “Both my parents were in the Air After taking the position, it was Master Sgt. Louis Vega group working together may seem common,
Fitness center .......................................................... 623-856-6241 Force and I was born on Kadena Air revealed that Falcone would be but it presents a unique challenge for this struction on weapons safety during a
Flight medicine ....................................................... 623-856-2273 Force Base,” said Falcone. “Growing providing care for the late John S. Lt. Cmdr. Jack McCain, U.S. Navy particular group. Airman 1st Class Juan Batiz Ocon, 944th deployment training exercise, March
Food court ............................................................... 623-935-2671 up with them, I was taught the mili- McCain III, former Arizona senator, officer and son of the late John Mc- “When you look at the 944th MSG, it’s Security Forces Squadron fire team 6 at Camp Navajo, Bellemont, Arizo-
Fort Tuthill .............................................................. 623-856-3401 tary is a good thing and it teaches as a live-in nurse for eight months Cain, swears-in Timothy Falcone, unlike other groups with one mission,” Har- member, takes his position while practic- na. The first-of-its-kind exercise was
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................... 623-856-6149 you good values.” during the senators’ final days. Grand Canyon University clinical ing close-quarter battle tactics during conducted by the 944th MSG, aimed
Hobby shop ............................................................. 623-856-6722 After his parents’ service, his “To be able to serve someone who lab instructor and health profes- vey explained. “MSG has different facets of a deployment training exercise, March at bringing together four different
Housing assistance section ...................................... 623-856-7643 sional, Feb. 24 at the McCain resi- career fields and figuring out how we inter- squadrons with different missions in
Housing facilities section ........................................ 623-856-3007 family eventually established them- has served so much was absolutely dence in Phoenix, Arizona. Falcone twine them together has its challenges.” 6 at Camp Navajo, Bellemont, Arizona.
Housing maintenance .............................................. 623-935-2676 selves in Long Island, New York. At one of the biggest highlights of my There are four squadrons within the During the four-day exercise, Airmen a simulated deployed environment.
Identification cards .................................................. 623-856-7832 age 8, he developed a love for hockey personal life,” said Falcone. “It was was expected to commission over 944th MSG: the 944th Logistics Readiness participated in classroom instruction
Information, tickets and travel ................................ 623-856-6000 and thought he found what he an honor to be in that role for him a year ago but his plans were put Squadron, the 944th Civil Engineer Squad- and hands-on training including recov-
Law enforcement desk ............................................ 623-856-5970 wanted to do for the rest of his life. and not just serve him, but to serve on hold due to COVID-19. He volun- ron, the 944th Force Support Squadron, and ery missions, land navigation, weapons
Legal assistance ...................................................... 623-856-6901 Everything he did from that point his family.” teered his time and skills to go to qualification, and base security opera-
Library ..................................................................... 623-856-7191 on was in preparation for that goal. Between his parents’ persistent New York City for three months to the 944th Security Forces Squadron. tions.
Lodging office/switchboard .................................... 623-856-3941 assist in emergency rooms at the “Putting together this exercise was a
Maintenance control center ..................................... 623-856-5469 “In 2001, at age 19, I realized I guidance and the influence and en- beginning of the crisis. challenge learning each other’s functions,
Marine Corps .......................................................... 623-856-2417 was done competitively,” said Fal- couragement of the McCain family, what their jobs are, and what they require
Marine Corps 24-hour duty desk ............................ 602-421-5806 cone. “I had hit my ceiling as far as the wheels were set in motion for in a deployed location,” said Master Sgt.
Marketing ................................................................ 623-856-3245 talent compared to my competition Falcone to commission in the Air with humility and inquisitiveness. Robert Norby, 944th SFS Noncommis-
Medical appointments ............................................. 623-856-2273 and had thrown all my eggs in that Force Reserve. Falcone stated the Build bridges to asking questions, sioned Officer in Charge of operations.
Military equal opportunity ...................................... 623-856-7711 one basket. It was a hard pill to wife of John McCain insisted she be
Military pay ............................................................. 623-856-7028 swallow, and I was lost.” there for the occasion. and make sure that you are never “We’ve proven on every UTA weekend we
Navy Operations Support Center ............................ 602-353-3008 above anyone’s dignity. We are all can do our jobs in a built-up base, within Reserve Citizen
OB/GYN clinic ....................................................... 623-856-2273 Because of his small stature for “Cindy McCain held a small cer- human beings. And lastly — this is our comfort zone. Our group commander’s Airmen from the
Office of Special Investigations .............................. 623-856-6821 the sport, he often found himself in emony for Tim at her home,” said my own advice — either be a heretic intent was to push us further and give us 944th Security
Optometrist ............................................................. 623-856-2273 the medical trainer’s office dealing Master Sgt. Jeni Laplant, 446th Air yourself or tolerate heretics in your the experience of operating in a deployed Forces Squadron
Orthopedic clinic ..................................................... 623-856-2273 with injuries. He learned a lot about Wing Health Professions Air Force command because at some point, if location where we don’t know when and practice close
Outdoor recreation .................................................. 623-856-6267 the human anatomy and eventually Reserve recruiter. “It was something everyone is always on the same page, where an attack could happen, but we quarter battle tac-
Pass and registration ............................................... 623-856-4880 he followed a recommendation from I’ll never forget.” Tech. Sgt. James Hataway, 944th Security tics during a de-
Patient advocate ...................................................... 623-856-8968 a coach to take an EMT course to During the ceremony, Lt. Cmdr. something’s wrong.” would need to prepare for it and be able
Pediatric clinic ........................................................ 623-856-2273 Falcone will be joining the Air to adapt and overcome when the situation Forces Squadron combat arms instruc- ployment training
Pharmacy refill call-in ............................................. 623-856-3969 see if he would like the medical field Jack McCain, U.S. Navy officer and Force Reserve through the Commis- arises.” tor, gives one-on-one advice on improv- Master Sgt. Jerry Guerra, 944th Security Forces Squadron exercise, March 6
Photo services ......................................................... 623-856-6168 after he was done with hockey. son of the late John McCain, swore sioned Officer Training program and During the four-day exercise, Airmen ing aim during a deployment training combat arms superintendent, gives trainees advice on improv- at Camp Navajo,
Post Office ............................................................... 623-935-1343 “I loved it,” said Falcone. “I ended in Falcone and gave his own advice will enter the Reserve as a second participated in classroom instruction and exercise, March 6 at Camp Navajo, Bel- ing their aim during a deployment training exercise, March 6 at Bellemont, Ari-
Public affairs ........................................................... 623-856-6011 up getting my EMT and firefighters about serving as an officer in the lieutenant. Air Force recruiters com- hands-on training including recovery mis- lemont, Arizona. Camp Navajo, Bellemont, Arizona. zona.
Recycling information ............................................ 623-856-4749 certifications because my pursuit at U.S. military. municate they are looking for people sions, land navigation, weapons qualifica-
Retiree Activities office .............................................623-856-3923 the time was firefighting. I was also “Dad used to say two things,” said tion, and base security operations.
Rodgers Travel ........................................................ 623-856-6894 invited back to the game of hockey Lt. Cmdr. McCain. “What will get who want to be a part of something
Safety ...................................................................... 623-856-6941 to coach.” bigger than themselves and instill “Our goal here is integrated training,” to be a very valuable learning experience back and create a playbook of what chal- 944th Fighter Wing, continuously conducts
Security forces .........................................................623-856-5970 you furthest in the military and See hEArt, Page 3 said Norby. “We’re working and training for the entire group. lenges we faced, what we can do better, and a variety of readiness training to prepare
Security incidents .................................................... 623-856-7777 During this time, Falcone took a in life is to approach everything with each other to see how we operate inde- “We weren’t expecting this first exercise how we can do things so we won’t have those for any contingency. The wing plans to hold
Service calls CE maintenance ................................. 623-856-7232 pendently, and evaluating how we operate to be perfect but the goal for this exercise same challenges next time. I think we’ve a local exercise in late 2021 and the 944th
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response ...................... 623-856-4878 as a group so we can have more experience was to identify what the challenges were come a long way but there’s always room MSG will use its lessons learned from this
Shoppette ................................................................. 623-266-0040 Thunderbolt editorial staff Luke Air Force Base website and social media and is the source for articles and with us as we go down range.” and how to improve on them,” Harvey said. for improvement.” experience to revisit Camp Navajo in early
Sick call ................................................................... 623-856-2273 Publisher ....................................................Aerotech news and review photos published in the Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt editor is authorized to use The first joint-squadron exercise proved
South Gate VRC ...................................................... 623-856-4768 Editor ....................................................................................... Amy Lamb photos and articles from other .mil or .gov websites. “We’re going to take all this information The 944th MSG, along with the rest of the 2022.
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 amy@aerotechnews.
Telephone repair (Base) .......................................... 623-856-4400 Advertising sales ................................................................ 877-247-9288 com. The editor can be reached at amy@aerotechnews.com. (from Page 2) puts others before himself and that’s an he has proven to have a servant’s heart.
Thrift store .............................................................. 623-935-5782 Luke Air Force Base The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air hEArt
Ticket/tour office ..................................................... 623-856-6000 Commander.................................................Brig. gen. gregory Kreuder Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is han- amazing quality to bear. He’s going to be He explained how he hopes to gain ful- ATTENTION
Travco ......................................................................855-896-7939 Public affairs chief ................................................Capt. Candice Dillitte dled by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 877-247-9288. Air Force core values — Integrity, Service a great asset to the Air Force Reserve.” fillment with higher functioning teams
Travel management office household goods ........... 623-856-6425 Command information ...................................... tech. Sgt. Clint Atkins Contents of the Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or en- Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Falcone was expected to commission that serve but would also like to share ALL PERSONNEL:
TMO passenger travel ............................................. 623-856-7035 dorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department Laplant believes Falcone has the quali- over a year ago but his plans were put his experiences and teamwork mentality Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder re-
Transient alert ......................................................... 623-856-6204 Editorial Information of the Air Force. ties they are looking for and will bring a on hold due to COVID-19. He volunteered as he becomes a Reserve Citizen Airman. spectfully announces the death of
Travel pay ............................................................... 623-856-7028 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supple- great deal to the table. his time and skills to go to New York City For more information about joining,
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 “Mr. Falcone brings a leadership aspect for three months to assist in emergency contact the 944th Fighter Wing recruit- Staff Sgt. Trent B. Lundell. Anyone
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 having claims for or against the
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 already with him,” said Laplant. “He’s rooms at the beginning of the crisis. ing office at 623-856-5339 or email estate should contact Maj. Scott D.
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 been serving his local communities for Falcone consistently wears multiple Reserve Recruiting Flight Chief, Senior Mauldin, Summary Court Officer, at
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. a long time and he’s putting all of those hats at any given time. From youth hock- Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ossman at jeffrey. scott.mauldin@us.af.mil.
qualities together to serve his country. He ey coach, college instructor, and nurse, ossman@us.af.mil.