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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen” August 2021
Vol. 20, No. 8
INSIDE Luke hosts 19th Air Force command team
by Airman 1st Class
DominiC TYLeR
StorIES
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Sharing hidden talents, 2 Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, 19th Air Force
Weather Flight watches Arizona commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Kris-
skies, 3 tina Rogers, 19th AF command chief,
EFMP provides services, support, engaged with Airmen at Luke Air Force
care, 4 Base, June 28-29, to learn first-hand the
United Through Reading day to day operations at the 56th Fighter
program, 5 Wing.
Luke AFB is home to the U.S. Air Force’s
Luke PMEL lab, 6 F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Light-
944th FSS top MPF in AFRC, 7 ning II initial training programs. The
56th CES saves Air Force $1.2 56th FW’s mission is to train the world’s
million, 8/9 greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready
Project SEARCH, 10 Airmen.
During their visit, Wills and Rogers
toured premier fighter squadrons and
FEAtUrE
Tech. Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos
Maj. Gen. Craig Wills, center, 19th Air
Force commander, and Chief Master Sgt.
Kristina Rogers, 19th AF command chief,
speak with Airmen assigned to the 56th
Fighter Wing Fighter Country Spark team
about potential innovative initiatives,
June 29, at Luke Air Force Base. Leader-
ship from the 19th AF visited Luke AFB to
Staff Sgt. Collette Brooks engage with 56th Fighter Wing members
ExcEptional Family mEmbEr program while gaining a better understanding of
See Page 4 the successes and challenges faced by
the wing. The 56th FW’s mission is to
train the world’s greatest fighter pilots
and combat-ready Airmen.
LEFT: Staff Sgt. Tanner Carden, right,
308th Aircraft Maintenance Unit dedicat-
ed crew chief, speaks with Wills, center,
Continue to get Luke’s latest and Rogers, left, about the components
news and information from of an F-35 Lightning II, June 29, at Luke
these sources: https://www. Air Force Base.
aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/
https://www.luke.af.mil Airman 1st Class Dominic Tyler
and social media observed base facility improvement proj- reiterated the importance of producing “What makes us the world’s greatest Air
ects to include the fitness center, which is great Airmen. Force is the never-ending hard work and
currently undergoing a heating, ventila- “As leaders, our first duty is to prepare dedication from our Airmen,” said Wills.
Luke56thFW @LukeAFB tion, and air conditioning system upgrade. our future leaders,” said Wills. “To be “We’ve got great Airmen like you who are
Date of publication Base officials elected to conduct the proj- a great leader, you have to be a great willing to step up and lead to make the
follower first. This is something that
Air Force stronger each and every day. I
ect in-house by the 56th Civil Engineer
First Friday Squadron rather than contracting it to an sometimes gets lost in translation. Great appreciate all of the great things you do,
of the month outside agency, in a decision projected to leaders without great followers won’t take because it makes a huge impact on our
save the Air Force $1.2 million. us where we need to go.” mission success. There’s a lot of mean-
Submission deadline “The Air Force should always be a work Throughout the visit, Wills recognized ing behind being coined, so I hope when
15th day of the month in progress,” said Wills. “Projects such several 56th FW Airmen for their dedica- you reflect back on this time in your life,
prior to date of publication as the gym’s HVAC upgrade show our tion and contribution to the mission and you remember this great team you were
dedication to improving quality of life and
a part of.”
expressed his gratitude for their service.
Veterans achieving readiness goals. There’s always behind that coin, you have 31,999 other FW, is responsible for the training of
The 19th AF, which oversees the 56th
“Today I want you to remember that
room for improvement, and it’s up to all
military students annually, in a variety of
you,” said Wills. “Just like you, your fel-
Tell us Your Story of us, as Airmen, to identify areas where Airmen in the 19th Air Force beside more than 30,000 U.S. and international
we need to improve as an Air Force and
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees equally importantly, to do our part to low Airmen came to work today to give specialties ranging from manned aircraft
All military branches are included move the Air Force forward.” their best to make our Air Force and our aircrews, remotely piloted aircraft crews,
Email name, phone number and a The 19th AF commander met with country better — to try and get the mis- air battle managers, weapons directors,
brief description of your service to squadron commanders and chiefs over sion done. Your brothers and sisters in Air Force Academy Airmanship programs,
amy@aerotechnews.com breakfast, where they discussed how to be arms are counting on you to continue to and Survival, Escape, Resistance and
an effective leader in the Air Force. Wills do the same. Evasion specialists.