Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt June 2026
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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen”
INSIDE
Luke AFB opens new Honor Guard facility
By Staff Sgt. Magen Reeves
56th Fighter Wing
Luke Air Force Base re- cently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new state of the art facility dedicated to supporting the Luke AFB Honor Guard mission to train and uphold standards to honor service members who have passed and represent the Air Force tradition across the base and local area of operations.
The ceremony was hosted by U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, and in- cluded the 56th FW com- mand team, installation unit commanders and chiefs, base special event support person- nel, community stakeholders and invited guests, and the base’s comprehensive Honor Guard team.
Berkland thanked communi- ty partners, stakeholders, and attending guests for their re- lentless advocacy and unwav- ering support of service mem- bers, Luke’s Honor Guard, and the 56th FW mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pi- lots and combat-ready Airmen.
The Luke AFB Honor Guard supports military and com- munity events across 52,000 square miles and six Arizona counties including more than 1,000 military funeral honors per year.
The professionalism and spirit of service of Luke AFB’s Honor Guard have remained so successful that the need for a new, modernized facility was without question.
“Every time a guardsman hands off a flag to a grieving
U.S. Air force photo by Airman 1st Class tekorey Watkins
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, right, and Jeff Gordon, CEO of IDM companies, walk through a cordon during a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Honor Guard facility at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, May 7, 2026. The facility will strengthen the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard’s ability to support ceremonial missions while reinforcing the professionalism and spirit of service of Luke’s Honor Guard.
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Integrating AI, 2
Nurse and Tech Week, 3
Lt. Col. Kinsman assumes command, 9
Chaplain’s Thoughts, 11 FEAtUrE
Senior Airman Belinda Guachun-Chichay
56th CES’S Boat REgatta
See Pages 6 and 7
family member or carries a flag-draped casket, your fin- gerprints will be part of that success,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Zachary Williams, 56th Force Support Squadron Luke AFB Honor Guard non- commissioned officer in charge.
Local community partners and stakeholders came togeth- er to provide a purpose-built facility with practice drill ar- eas, quality of life amenities,
See fACility, Page 4
June 5. 2026 Vol. 25, No. 6
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U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, and Jeff Gordon, CEO of IDM companies, cut the ribbon for the new Honor Guard facility, May 7, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
LEFT: U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland, 56th Fighter Wing commander, speaks during a ribbon cutting ceremony held for the new Honor Guard facility at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, May 7, 2026.
