Page 10 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, May 2021

10 May 2021 News http://www.luke.af.mil
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by Tech. Sgt. been able to connect Airmen with jobs in some cases —
CouRTneY RiChARDSon or at least information about jobs.”
& Staff Sgt. mATTheW BRuCh During their visit, the newest members of the 944th
FW were given a windshield tour, making stops at
944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
multiple mission areas to learn and understand the
Community leaders passed through the front gate of capabilities of the Wing.
Luke Air Force Base April 10 to get a behind-the-scenes “As a business owner, I’m excited to see how operations
look into the 944th Fighter Wing and the respective units are run and how I can learn and take some things back
for which they will serve as honorary commanders over to my own business,” said Mike Stohler, a new honorary
the next two years. commander and local business owner. Stohler will be
The 944th FW formally welcomed their incoming serving as an honorary commander to the 944th Mission
honorary commanders during a base tour and induction Support Group.
ceremony. He went on to reiterate one large benefit is coming
This program reaches out to the local community together as private business leaders and military to
and invites both civic and business leaders to become learn how each entity works through various issues —
honorary leaders of organizations within the wing. The especially today with work issues relating to COVID-19.
intended goal of this program across the service is to As part of the tour, honorary commanders were given Courtesy photo
create awareness and increase community leaders’ hands-on demonstrations from the Security Forces mili- Col. James Greenwald, commander of the 944th Fighter
knowledge of Air Force operations. tary working dogs team, services field operations, and Wing, listens to a field services briefing while hosting
“You will have an impact on the Airmen of the 944th briefings from various unit members regarding opera- a tour for new honorary commanders at Luke Air Force
Fighter Wing,” said Col. James Greenwald, commander tions and capabilities within the wing. Base April 10.
of the 944th FW, during his speech at the induction cer- “We get honorary commanders who are business and
emony Saturday evening. “Your being here will remind non-profit leaders in all sorts of fields,” said Kreis. “One cited to see the new airframes and get an inside look at
members that what they do truly matters.” of the biggest benefits of this program is the professional operations on Luke AFB.”
The honorary commander’s program is widely used development for our leaders interacting with these hon- The new members soon hit the ground running with
around the Air Force in all components of the service. orary commanders.” their responsibilities by being part of a welcome home
More significantly and specific to the Reserve component Additionally, the tour included an inside look at the party for Reserve Citizen Airmen’s children participat-
of the Air Force, the honorary commanders often lead F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon — airframes ing in Operation Reserve Kids, a family resiliency event
and employ these Airmen in a civilian capacity as well. which the Airmen of the 944th FW are charged with held the same day.
“This benefits the Airmen by providing so many re- maintaining and flying as part of the Wing’s training After the honorary commanders finished their tour, the
sources in the communities where our Airmen live,” said mission. induction ceremony, led by Greenwald, commenced, and
Major David Kreis, a Chaplain with the 944th FW and “This is a way for me to continue to give back,” said the newest members of the wing were officially inducted
sponsor to one of the honorary commanders. “We have Stohler. “I am a veteran and former pilot, so I am ex- into their respective units.

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