Page 5 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, January 2021

4 January 2021 luke ComPetes http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt luke’s enduring History Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 5
Thunderbolt
January 2021
http://www.luke.af.mil
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

56th FSS finalist for Best-of-best load crews compete 56th FW makes history ... 307th FS has legendary story Tuskegee Airmen speak at Luke
award; receives evaluation 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
Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder presents the Maj. Gen. Clements Mc- 1st Lt. Ralph Richard Hayes, 20th Air Force, I flying ace,
Mike Sabella, John L. Hennessy Food Mullen Weapons System Maintenance Army Air Corps, 421st Bombardment Squad- Frank Luke
Service Excellence Award assess- Innovation leads 56th SFS to Air Force-level award Award to Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, ron bombardier, poses for a photo June 7, Jr., was
ment team member, speaks to Airmen 56th Fighter Wing commander and 1945, during World War II. Hayes and his crew called the
from the 56th Force Support Squad- Senior Airman Ross Cordova, 56th Security Col. James Greenwald, 944th FW of 10 men completed 35 missions during the Arizona Bal-
ron appropriated fund food service Forces Squadron defense force member, and commander, Oct. 6, 2020, at Luke Air war: 14 precision daylight, 11 low-altitude loon Buster.
team during an evaluation Feb. 3, 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
2020. The 56th FSS appropriated fund 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
food service team was one of 12 final- gree active shooter virtual reality simulation. presented to an Air Force maintenance shared his WWII stories for one of the last Luke Field,
ists out of 70 bases worldwide to be 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
selected for the Air Force’s 2020 John 2019 Best Medium Security Forces Unit Award. maintenance record for the previous old crew and the interesting people he met, became Luke
L. Hennessy Food Service Excellence 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
Award. The Hennessy evaluation 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.
team assessed the 56th FSS facilities system to enhance training; fitting tactical vests years, 2018 and 2019 — the first time old Aug. 27, 2020, Hayes passed away peace-
on kitchen, serving and dining opera- 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.
tions, sanitation and repair mainte- 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,
nance, and more. 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.

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