Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 2-26-16

Feb. 26, 2016 COMMENTARY Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
2 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

2nd Lt. Frank Luke: Heritage and readiness

ACTION LINE by Master Sgt. earned his wings and was selected to attend advanced
MICHAEL HAMILL aviation training in France.
56fw.pa@us.af.mil
56th Aerospace Medicine Squadron He was assigned to the 27th Aero Squadron. Within
The Commander’s Action Line six months of commissioning he was moved toward the
is your direct line to me with ques- On day one, as we lace our boots frontline. His skillset and ability garnered him a seat in
tions or suggestions about subjects for the first time, our core values be- one of the most advanced fighters of World War I — the
of concern to the entire Luke Air gin to be cemented within us. Every French-built Spad XIII.
Force Base community. action we take and every decision
we make molds the foundation for Without pause, Luke began his combat missions and
I appreciate your feedback. the path ahead. Our warrior ethos was credited with his first aerial victory by destroying
Your ideas and concerns help Master Sgt. Michael Hamill and our Airman’s creed pay homage a German observation balloon Sept. 12, 1918. These
build a stronger foundation on to those who came before us, those who paved the way and balloons, called Drachen (Dragon) were heavily armed
which we can successfully com- those that made the ultimate sacrifice. with infantry, machine guns, anti-aircraft cannons and
plete our mission and take care of One of those remarkable fallen is 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, phosphorus rounds. This made them more difficult to
our people. a 21-year-old pilot born May 19, 1897, here in Phoenix. take down than a fighter plane, often requiring multiple
Throughout his childhood and early adulthood he dis- attack passes to destroy.
To receive a response, leave Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus played key readiness traits. Reluctant to accept failure,
your name and telephone number. 56th FW commander he consistently trained his body and mind, excelling in For two weeks, he consistently overcame odds and
Action Lines of general interest are sports and occupational endeavors. He was driven to proved his courage. Despite adversity and a bullet-riddled
printed in the Thunderbolt. Remember, the quickest and obtain knowledge, motivated to accomplish tasks and aircraft, he continued to fly until forced to land due to
most efficient way to resolve a problem is to talk directly to determined to learn new skills. Consistently placing one damages. But that didn’t stop him. He was internally fu-
the responsible agency or through your chain of command. foot forward, he faced challenges, invited hardships and eled and immediately jumped into another aircraft and
strived to succeed. pushed forward.
The Action Line isn’t just for complaints. Send along On Sept. 25, 1917, his tenacity and bravery propelled
your kudos when someone provides exceptional service, him into the U.S. Signal Corps Aviation Section. He had a hand in destroying five aircraft in 10 minutes
goes out of their way to help or deserves a kind word. It’s rumored Luke completed aeronautics school two Sept. 18.
weeks faster than his peers. He excelled at pilot training,
PHONE NUMBERS He answered our nation’s call, putting everything on the
line for our freedom. Less than three weeks after his first
Airman and Family Readiness Center ....................... 623-856-6550
Chapel ................................................................... 623-856-6211 See LUKE, Page 4
Child Care Center ...................................................623-856-6339
Community Center ............................................... 623-856-7152 Make a difference in someone else’s life today
Computer IT service desk .................................. DSN 945-2900
Eye Clinic ............................................................. 623-856-7965 by Chief Master Sgt. Make sure they can do your job some- realize it’s not about you and you take
Fitness Center ....................................................... 623-856-6241 MIKE HEATH day. Teach them from your experiences care of your people. You and I share a
Flight Medicine .................................................... 623-856-2273 — the good, the bad and the ugly. common blessing in that we are mem-
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................ 623-856-6149 30th Medical Group bers of the finest country in the world.
Hobby shop .......................................................... 623-856-6722 Share your successes and failures I have faith that you will endeavor
+RXVLQJRI¿FH Will you make a difference in some- and tell them how you handled them. to make our country even better in
Law enforcement desk ......................................... 623-856-5970 one’s life today? Make it a teaching moment so you can the future by making a difference in
Legal assistance .................................................... 623-856-6901 make them better leaders. someone else’s life today.
Library .................................................................. 623-856-7191 We have all heard someone say,
Marketing ............................................................. 623-856-3245 “Take care of your people and their Taking the time to develop Airmen I was entrusted with the incredible
Military Equal Opportunity ................................. 623-856-7711 families.” Have you ever stopped to is not an easy task and it’s not some- responsibility to be a supervisor more
Military pay .......................................................... 623-856-7028 think why we hear this so often? thing that can be done only online or than 25 years ago. I started something
2I¿FHRI6SHFLDO,QYHVWLJDWLRQ .............................623-856-6821 by computer-based training. It takes that first morning as I prepared for
Outdoor Recreation .............................................. 623-856-6267 As Airmen, our number one respon- human interaction, patience, effort work. As I was so proudly putting on
Pass and registration ............................................. 623-856-4880 sibility is to accomplish the mission. and an ability to evolve. Enable and my Air Force uniform I looked into the
Patient advocate ................................................... 623-856-8968 However, without smart, dedicated, motivate people to accomplish the mirror and said, “Will you make a dif-
Public Affairs ........................................................ 623-856-5853 hard-working people and the uncon- mission. Give a sense of accomplish- ference in someone else’s life today?”
Security Forces ..................................................... 623-856-5970 ditional support of their families, the ment and make sure they are recog- I have asked that question every day
Straight Talk Line ................................................. 623-856-7064 mission would not get accomplished. nized for it. If done properly, no doubt since. When I get home at the end of
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response .................. 623-856-4878 you will instill confidence in others my duty day, as I take off my uniform,
Vehicle Maintenance ............................................ 623-935-6576 This philosophy is not new. In fact, and ensure the success of tomorrow’s I look in that mirror again and ask
Veterinary services ............................................... 623-856-6354 it’s been a fundamental concept in our leaders. myself, “Did you make a difference in
Wellness Center .................................................... 623-856-2273 Air Force culture for many years, but someone else’s life today?” Sometimes
Youth Center ......................................................... 623-856-7470 are we truly putting forth our best ef- It’s not about you. It’s about other the answer is no, so what do I do the
fort on a daily basis to be involved in people. When you take care of your next day? Try harder.
the lives of our people and understand people, help them accomplish their
the needs of our Airmen? goals and live up to their potential, So I ask you, Will you make a dif-
and great things will happen. Not only ference in someone else’s life today?
Genuinely caring for your Airmen will the mission get accomplished, but If you do, it could inspire an Airman
is essential and helpful when provid- innovation and excellence will ensue. for a lifetime.
ing honest and realistic performance These things can happen when you
appraisals. Mentor those whose devel-
opment with which you are charged.

Luke Editorial Staff 7KH7KXQGHUEROWXVHVPDWHULDOIURPWKH$UPHG)RUFHV,QIRUPDWLRQ6HUYLFH$LU
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Commander.......................................................... Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus E\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZ7KH\FDQEHUHDFKHGE\FDOOLQJ
Public Affairs chief ................................................. Lt. Col. Matt Hasson
Public Affairs deputy chief ........................................... Kiley Dougherty 7KH7KXQGHUEROWLVSXEOLVKHGE\$HURWHFK1HZVDQG5HYLHZDSULYDWH¿UPLQQR
Internal information............................................... Staff Sgt. Staci Miller ZD\FRQQHFWHGZLWKWKH86$LU)RUFHXQGHUH[FOXVLYHZULWWHQFRQWUDFWZLWKWKHWK
Editor ........................................................................... Deborah Leuthold )LJKWHU:LQJ/XNH$LU)RUFH%DVH$UL]7KLVFLYLOLDQHQWHUSULVH$LU)RUFHQHZVSDSHU
Designer .................................................................................Tinna Sellie LVDQDXWKRUL]HGSXEOLFDWLRQIRUPHPEHUVRIWKH86PLOLWDU\VHUYLFHV&RQWHQWVRIWKH
7KXQGHUEROWDUHQRWQHFHVVDULO\WKHRI¿FLDOYLHZVRIRUHQGRUVHGE\WKH86JRYHUQ
Editorial Information PHQWWKH'HSDUWPHQWRI'HIHQVHRUWKH'HSDUWPHQWRIWKH$LU)RUFH

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