Page 12 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, January 2021

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January 2021
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944th FW At the twilight’s F-35 Lightning II Military community launches Faith over fear often find myself reflecting on them as a chaplain
Chaplain’s thoughts ...

second loaner library
takes to skies last gleaming intersects nature Lauren McKinley, 944th Aeromedi- by Chaplain (Capt.) navigating through the COVID-19 pandemic. My
encouragement to anyone feeling overwhelmed
is to choose faith. Whether that is faith in our
cal Staging Squadron management
support specialist, and her hus-
band, Staff Sgt. Eric McKinley, 56th JAsmin LuCk resolve to bounce back from difficulties, in our
training and expertise, or in a higher power, this
Component Maintenance Squad- Chaplain, 944th Fighter Wing is a conscious decision all of us can make.
ron real property specialist, pose Three years ago, I 2020 tested our resilience and dedication to
next to the Loaner Library July 28, went through an ex- the mission. We balanced the uncertainty of the
2020. Located in the Ocotillo Manor perience that would future with the certainty we have in our readi-
neighborhood near the intersec- impact my faith and ness. After a challenging year, some are scaveng-
tion of Walpai and Kiowa, the mini perspective to this very ing through the remnants, searching for hope.
Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder
library houses two shelves where day. I was a chaplain A theory in psychology called post-traumatic
individuals can take a book and leave one in its place. Courtesy photo candidate, excited to growth describes the positive change that occurs
complete my first train- after battling a major life crisis. Growth can oc-
ing assignment overseas. During our weekly staff cur through mindful mediation, gratitude, and
Easy riders meeting, everyone’s phones started ringing and seeking out counselors and helping agencies to
buzzing from an influx of notifications. The noises assist in reframing negative events. No matter
became so significant that we had to stop and what form of trauma someone endures in their
investigate what was causing the interruption. life, they can be encouraged knowing that there
We learned that an enemy nation was threaten- is a chance for growth.
Senior Airman Leala Marquez ing our region, and I felt my heart drop instantly. Our pain can be vectored toward a greater
Senior Airman Jacob Wongwai An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 425th My standard active duty tour turned into a time purpose. The pilot who encouraged me left a
An F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 944th Fighter Squadron, prepares to land at Luke Air Force where our chapel services became more instru- more significant impact than he realized. After
Fighter Wing takes off Jan. 13, 2020. The Total Force Base. The F-16 can withstand up to nine Gs, nine mental than ever. our conversation, I walked away feeling moti-
integration of the 944th FW and 56th FW, alongside times the force of gravity, with a full load of fuel. Senior Airman Alexander Cook The next day, I decided to visit the flight line vated to uplift those around me. Today, I still
their partner-nation counterparts, produces some of Luke AFB currently trains alongside six foreign na- More than 1,000 bikers drove down the runway Feb. 29, 2020, dur- to see how everyone handled the news. I crossed find strength in his words. You can be a similar
the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready tions and has graduated more than 61,000 fighter ing the Mayor’s Big Dog Run. “I have never felt more exhilarated on paths with a pilot who gave me some insight into source of courage for your wingmen, who may be
Airmen. pilots since 1941. a bike than when I opened up the throttle on that runway, letting all his viewpoint. He had so much peace and con- facing hardships they are not expressing. We can
of my stress fly away at a steady 105 mph,” said Stefanie Bradley, tentment that I asked what he relied on in these all see growth during our trials and grief if we
riding a 2018 Heritage Classic Harley Davidson. Bradley is an Army situations. The pilot told me, “I have to decide choose faith over fear. For more information, or
veteran and member of Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, on a daily basis to choose faith over fear.” Those to speak with a Chaplain or Religious Affairs Air-
Luke F-35s gas up on the fly words stuck with me as a chaplain candidate. I man, please contact Luke AFB Chapel: 856-6211.
of which 36 other members also rode that day.

A KC-135 Stratotanker assigned
to the Arizona Air National
Guard, 161st Air Fueling Wing,
refuels an F-35A Lightning II as-
signed to the 56th Fighter Wing
at Luke Air Force Base, April 17, Senior Airman Alexander Cook
2020, over Colorado. The KC- An F-35A Lightning II takes off during a training sor-
tie Jan. 7, 2020, over Luke Air Force Base, the home
135, along with eight F-35s from of numerous Arizona species of cacti. Pilots fly more
the 63rd Fighter Squadron, 61st than 100 sorties at Luke during a training day. The
FS and the 308th FS, participat- mission of Luke is to train the world’s greatest fight-
ed in a refueling mission as the er pilots and combat ready Airmen.
F-35s traveled to the Air Force
Academy for a flyover. The fly-
over showcased the Air Force’s
newest fifth-generation stealth Luke trains in
fighter, while offering a tribute
to the class of 2020. Gunfighter Flag exercise

Photos by Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder
An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the Senior Airman Danielle Charmichael
56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, An F-35A Lightning II pilot with the 56th Operations
Ariz., flies next to a KC-135 Stratotanker Group prepares to refuel over southern Idaho Aug.
Seven F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 63rd, 61st and 308th assigned to the Arizona National Guard, 18, 2020. The F-35s were participating in a quarterly
fighter squadrons at Luke Air Force Base, line up in formation 161st Air Refueling Wing April 17, 2020, exercise known as Gunfighter Flag, in which United
over Colorado. Eight F-35s performed a fly-over at the U.S. Air over the Colorado Rockies. The mission States partners and fighter squadrons nationwide
Force Academy in honor of the graduating class of 2020. Luke showcased the Air Force’s newest fifth- train for air-to-air and air-to-ground scenarios to
AFB exhibits the importance of teamwork between units, bases generation stealth fighter, while offering a maintain the lethality of the force.
and military branches to execute the mission. tribute to the 2020 class.