Page 4 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, January 2021

4 January 2021
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
56th FSS finalist for Best-of-best load crews compete
award; receives evaluation
Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder
Mike Sabella, John L. Hennessy Food
Service Excellence Award assess- Innovation leads 56th SFS to Air Force-level award
ment team member, speaks to Airmen
from the 56th Force Support Squad-
ron appropriated fund food service
team during an evaluation Feb. 3,
2020. The 56th FSS appropriated fund
food service team was one of 12 final-
ists out of 70 bases worldwide to be
selected for the Air Force’s 2020 John
L. Hennessy Food Service Excellence
Award. The Hennessy evaluation
team assessed the 56th FSS facilities
on kitchen, serving and dining opera-
tions, sanitation and repair mainte-
nance, and more.
luke ComPetes http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt luke’s enduring History Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 5
Thunderbolt
January 2021
http://www.luke.af.mil
56th FW makes history ... 307th FS has legendary story Tuskegee Airmen speak at Luke
Receives maintenance award Retired Col. Richard Toliver, mem-
Staff Sgt. Katrina Stuhl, 310th Aircraft two consecutive years ber of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona
Maintenance Unit weapons load crew The 307th Fighter Squadron August 1943 chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incor-
chief, prepares an inert munition to be in Termini Immerse, Sicily. Duty, determi- porated, shakes hands with Tracy
loaded onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon nation and bravery line the history of the McGregor, 56th Civil Engineer
Jan. 24, 2020, during the Annual Load 307th FS. From their days attacking the Squadron Fire and Emergency Ser-
Crew Competition at Luke Air Force beaches of Normandy, to now, the roots vices, Feb. 27, 2020, after a Black
Base. Eight AMUs competed in a timed of their history have been firmly estab- History Month panel discussion
event to load munitions onto an F-16 lished. Their legacy carries the thread of at Luke Air Force Base. Members
Fighting Falcon or F-35A Lightning II their strength and steadfast spirit, like a Airman 1st Class Leala Marquez of the TAI visited Luke to educate
with the highest level of safety, accu- beacon of perpetual stability in an ever- Airmen on the history of Tuskegee
racy and speed. The 56th Fighter Wing Courtesy photo changing world. Airmen and share their experiences from their time in the Air Force.
hosted the competition to determine
the load crew team of the year and Staff Sgt. Franklin R. Ramos
recognize maintenance Airmen for Retired Lt. Gen. Nicholas Kehoe, Order Remembering: A WWII vet’s story
their proficiency in arming aircraft with of Daedalians national commander,
Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder munitions. Luke AFB namesake World War
presents the Maj. Gen. Clements Mc- 1st Lt. Ralph Richard Hayes, 20th Air Force, I flying ace,
Mullen Weapons System Maintenance Army Air Corps, 421st Bombardment Squad- Frank Luke
Award to Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, ron bombardier, poses for a photo June 7, Jr., was
56th Fighter Wing commander and 1945, during World War II. Hayes and his crew called the
Senior Airman Ross Cordova, 56th Security Col. James Greenwald, 944th FW of 10 men completed 35 missions during the Arizona Bal-
Forces Squadron defense force member, and commander, Oct. 6, 2020, at Luke Air war: 14 precision daylight, 11 low-altitude loon Buster.
Tech. Sgt. Jose Martinez, 56th SFS defense force Force Base. Awarded annually by the night fire raids and 10 night-mining missions He is the
day-shift flight sergeant, participate in a 360-de- Secretary of the Air Force, the award is in Japanese and Korean waters. As Hayes namesake of
gree active shooter virtual reality simulation. presented to an Air Force maintenance shared his WWII stories for one of the last Luke Field,
The 56th SFS earned the Headquarters Air Force unit with the greatest weapon system times, he laughed at the drinking antics of his which later
2019 Best Medium Security Forces Unit Award. maintenance record for the previous old crew and the interesting people he met, became Luke
The squadron won for its innovations and efforts year. The 56th and 944th fighter wings all the while his story continued. It continued Air Force
such as implementing a 360-degree virtual reality earned the award for two consecutive until his last breath. At 100-and-a-half years Base.
system to enhance training; fitting tactical vests years, 2018 and 2019 — the first time old Aug. 27, 2020, Hayes passed away peace-
to individuals with gender specific options; and, in the award’s 60-year history. The fully in his home while surrounded by loved LEFT: Second Lt. Frank Luke Jr.
being a test unit for the Security Forces Center’s most recent win is Luke’s fourth time Courtesy photo ones. He is one of the last to have actually with his SPAD S.XIII on Sept. 19,
Courtesy photo Squadron of the Future initiative. earning the trophy. lived what many people just learn about. He is the history of this nation. Photos courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing History office 1918.
A legacy of caring
We honor veterans
Military veteran tribute visits
Hospice, supportive and dementia care
Music, massage and pet therapy • Grief support
Call 24/7 to speak with a nurse
6.5” AD SPACE
(602) 530-6900 hov.org