Page 2 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, November 2020

2 November 2020 Commentary http://www.luke.af.mil Thunderbolt news Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt 3
November 2020
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
PHONE NUMBERS What it means to be Hispanic

Airman and Family Readiness Center .................... 623-856-6550
Airman’s Attic ......................................................... 623-856-6415
Armed Forces Bank ................................................ 623-535-9766 by Airman 1st Class
Base Exchange main store ...................................... 623-935-2671 LeALA MARQUeZ
Base taxi .................................................................. 623-856-6866
Beauty shop ............................................................. 623-536-1897 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Chapel ..................................................................... 623-856-6211
Chapel (after duty hours) ........................................ 623-856-5600 Editor’s note: This commentary was first published Oct.
Child development center ....................................... 623-856-6338 17, 2019.
Clothing sales .......................................................... 623-856-6310 Growing up, my father was intent on passing every
Club Five Six .......................................................... 623-856-6446 piece of my Hispanic heritage to me; food, music, and the
Command post ........................................................ 623-856-5600 rituals and superstitions that sound crazy to someone Staff Sgt. Dorothy Planas
Commissary ............................................................ 623-935-3821 not familiar with them. In addition, he shared the stories
Community center ................................................... 623-856-7152 of his struggles, many of which were not unique to the U.S. Air Force, 1973-1981 — Telecommunication Specialist
Computer IT service desk ..................................... DSN 945-2900 Hispanic community.
Crime Stop .............................................................. 623-856-6666 Editor’s Note: This veteran’s story has been transcribed from and then I drove from San Antonio up to Washington, D.C. I
Dental clinic ............................................................ 623-856-2273 My father was born in Chicago into a migrant family,
Dermatology ........................................................... 623-856-2273 and at 6 years old he began harvesting crops, herding her own words during an in-person interview. Only minor edits took a friend with me so I wouldn’t have to drive all by myself.
Dining hall .............................................................. 623-856-6396 cattle and taking care of horses. He and his family worked have been made for clarity. Then she went back home.
Dorm management .................................................. 623-856-7841 long hours, performing exhausting work, and at the end I was in telecommunications in the Air Force. My first two Like I said, the first year, I was in the basement with the
Education center ...................................................... 623-856-7722 of the week their take-home pay was $40. assignments were working in the base telecommunications Air Force switchboard, and then they transferred me up to
EMERGENCY ONLY ............................................................. 911 He started school speaking only Spanish and with the center at Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Joint Chiefs of Staff Command Center or the National
Equal opportunity .................................................... 623-856-7711 nature of his family’s work, he moved five or six times every and Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. My last assignment Military Command Center, was what they called it. While I
Eye clinic ................................................................ 623-856-7965 was as an Air Force telephone operator in the basement of was on duty, two things happened when I was there. I was
Falcon Dunes Golf Course ...................................... 623-535-9334 school year all over the country. My father often laughs the Pentagon. Then they moved me up to the second floor, on duty the day that President Reagan was shot, and I came
Family health clinic ................................................. 623-856-2273 when recalling how he couldn’t speak enough English to
Family housing ........................................................ 623-388-3515 tell the teachers what grade he was in, and their solution where I was a secure voice operator in the National Military on duty the morning after the failed hostage rescue attempt
Fire station .............................................................. 623-856-6641 was to place him in a grade based on his height. Since he Command Center. during the crisis with Iran. And, any time anything happened
Firestone Car Care .................................................. 623-271-8104 was tall for his age, the teachers were always wrong. I joined in Jan. 26, 1973. And of course, Basic Training worldwide, things became very active in our area.
Fitness center .......................................................... 623-856-6241 Airman 1st Class Leala Marquez Immediately after graduating high school in 1969, he was at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, so it We had practice drills, simulating that a missile was coming
Flight medicine ....................................................... 623-856-2273 A member of the Ollin Yoliztli Mexican Folklore Dance was drafted into the U.S. Army to fight in the Vietnam was just across town. I think I went home for one visit while in — through NORAD — where they had spotted a missile
Food court ............................................................... 623-935-2671 I was in there. And then from Lackland, I went to Shepherd coming in, so we had to practice that. And one time we went
Fort Tuthill .............................................................. 623-856-3401 Academy performs a traditional dance during the His- War. The opportunity with the military propelled him Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, for tech school for up to Maryland, flew up on a helicopter and went up there
Fraud, waste and abuse hotline ............................... 623-856-6149 panic Heritage Month closing ceremony at the Navy out of a world of poverty while at the same time exposing
Hobby shop ............................................................. 623-856-6722 Operational Support Center, Oct. 15, 2019, at Luke Air him to new trials. Telecommunications Center Specialist. I don’t even remember and spent the week there training. I don’t remember what all
Housing assistance section ...................................... 623-856-7643 Force Base. Luke observed HHM Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to At that time, the Army living quarters were segregated what all we did there. It was such a long time ago, anyway. But we did up there. I think if I remember correctly, it was up in
Housing facilities section ........................................ 623-856-3007 recognize the contributions of Latinx people in society based on race, not because policy required it, but because from there I went to Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque the mountains, it was all underground. But I don’t remember
Housing maintenance .............................................. 623-935-2676 and provide education about their culture. and was assigned to the base communications center. We the name of the place.
Identification cards .................................................. 623-856-7832 See hisPAniC, Page 12 sent and received messages on IBM cards. We also sent and The most tense times were when there was something that Jason Deckman
Information, tickets and travel ................................ 623-856-6000 received messages on a five-level paper tape. I learned when was going on and we had to set up conferences. We had the This is my shadow box. This is the Chief of Staff badge
Law enforcement desk ............................................ 623-856-5970 I got there that was one of the fields they had not had many ability of setting up secure and nonsecure conferences with for working at the National Military Command Center.
Legal assistance ...................................................... 623-856-6901 Invisible wounds often cause silent suffering This is the badge that went on my beret. That’s the
Library ..................................................................... 623-856-7191 women in. When I got there, I was only the second woman all the command centers around the world. It was really in- Joint Service Commendation Medal. And I didn’t know
Lodging office/switchboard .................................... 623-856-3941 in that field, in that communications center. And during the teresting, sometimes it was really tense, and I’m glad I don’t how to place all of these with all of the other ribbons,
Maintenance control center ..................................... 623-856-5469 time that I was there, then there were other women that have to do that anymore.
Marine Corps .......................................................... 623-856-2417 by stress through poor sleep patterns. In remained silent. But silence does not came in also. They did have one woman in that job, and ap- I remember one … I have to tell this one. It was 1979, in so I just put it all together like that.
Marine Corps 24-hour duty desk ............................ 602-421-5806 MiCheLLe PADgeTT our military population, lack of sleep and will not make the changes we parently they were still just starting to put women in career the winter, and it started snowing early in the day on Sun-
Marketing ................................................................ 623-856-3245 is associated with more anxiety, more need to protect the greatest weapon fields that previously had only been open to men. And then day. I was working the midnight shift. So, when I went in to Then, I was already planning to go back to school toward
Medical appointments ............................................. 623-856-2273 Department of the Air Force depression, more PTS, more alcohol we have — our people! Would it sur- over the next couple of years, there were more women that work that night, I worked through the night — we were to the end of that tour. They were going to send me to Incirlik,
Disabilities Action Team
Military equal opportunity ...................................... 623-856-7711 abuse and unfortunately more suicid- prise you that 85% recover within
Military pay ............................................................. 623-856-7028 ARLiNgToN, Va. — I often look ality. Sleep, pain and mood manage- the first six months, which highlights started coming in. For me, it was totally a positive experience. get off the next morning when the next team would come in. Turkey, but I had already made plans to go back to school.
Navy Operations Support Center ............................ 602-353-3008 around the room and wonder, who is I never really felt threatened. I felt like everybody — all the But, it had snowed all day Sunday — all afternoon and all So, I just got out in August of 1981, and then from there I
OB/GYN clinic ....................................................... 623-856-2273 suffering in silence … facing chal- ment are critical to improving total the importance of early intervention men that I worked with — treated me with a lot of respect. night. Well, it snowed so much that the other team couldn’t went to school. I went to Washington Bible College right
Office of Special Investigations .............................. 623-856-6821 force fitness. Our challenge is that and treatment? An investment in our I never experienced any problems at all with any of them. get in. We couldn’t leave. And so we had to work through the outside Lanham, Maryland, and then went to graduate
Optometrist ............................................................. 623-856-2273 lenges that no one else can see … trauma is unique to the individual. people will pay dividends — INVEST And to me, that just means a lot, because that wasn’t the next day, and we worked three shifts. They have a cafeteria school at Texas Woman’s University for my master’s degree
Orthopedic clinic ..................................................... 623-856-2273 scarred by traumatic brain injury What is traumatic for one, may not through direct involvement, coordi- case for everybody. at the Pentagon, and they had vending machines. So, we ate in library science.
Outdoor recreation .................................................. 623-856-6267 or post-traumatic stress. We have a be traumatic to someone else, which nation of care, and reaching out. A I was there until 1975. Then they sent me to Hickam Air whatever we could. And then I think it was Monday evening, That’s my story. It’s not very long, but, you know, that’s
Pass and registration ............................................... 623-856-4880 national security strategy to protect is why it is so difficult to detect. Our great poet once said, “there is a crack what I did.
Patient advocate ...................................................... 623-856-8968 American people, promote resilience, military members are the best trained in everything … that’s how light gets Force Base, where I spent two years. And that was same they loaded us onto a truck, a troop truck, whatever you call
Pediatric clinic ........................................................ 623-856-2273 renew our competitive edge and influ- thing – the base communications center. I got to see some of it. They took us over to Fort Myer, Virginia, so we could have Editor’s note: Dorothy’s awards include the Joint Chiefs of
Pharmacy refill call-in ............................................. 623-856-3969 ence our partners. Over 3 million men and well-equipped in the world, and in.” To the Air and Space professionals the other islands while I was there, and then in 1977, I got some supper and then we had to go back to the Pentagon and Staff service badge, the Joint Service Commendation Medal,
Photo services ......................................................... 623-856-6168 can take on every enemy, except for who stand watch, thanks for breaking an assignment for the Pentagon. So, I went home for 30 days keep working through until Tuesday morning. By then the the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Air Force Good
Post Office ............................................................... 623-935-1343 and women have served in the mili- the one within. Quite simply, we’ve barriers every day! I have no doubt you leave. I drove from my home in San Antonio to San Francisco weather had let up and the snow was down enough so we could Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air
Public affairs ........................................................... 623-856-6011 tary since 9/11, and yet there is a lack got to start talking to each other, and will SHINE and make the invisible, when I went over to Hawaii, and then when I came back to leave. The worst part was, just that it wasn’t so hard — the Force Longevity Service Award, and the USAF NCO Profes-
Recycling information ............................................ 623-856-4749 of understanding around invisible asking tough questions. visible. Really, the only question is, the U.S., I first came home. I bought a car while I was home worst was not being able to brush my teeth! sional Military Education graduate ribbon.
Retiree Activities office .............................................623-856-3923 wounds. It may surprise you that in Would it surprise you that we’ve what would YOU DO to shed light on
Rodgers Travel ........................................................ 623-856-6894 1946, New England Journal of Medi- had 479,000-plus service members invisible wounds, to protect and defend
Safety ...................................................................... 623-856-6941 cine researchers could predict who
Security forces .........................................................623-856-5970 seek treatment for PTS or TBI over the Air and Space professional AND
Security incidents .................................................... 623-856-7777 was going to develop post-traumatic one year? For hundreds of years, we’ve the institution he or she works for? Become a child care provider
Service calls CE maintenance ................................. 623-856-7232 AADD
Sexual Assault Prevention/Response ...................... 623-856-4878
Shoppette ................................................................. 623-266-0040 Thunderbolt editorial staff Luke Air Force Base website and social media and is the source for articles and • Set your own schedule QUeSTioNS?
Sick call ................................................................... 623-856-2273 Publisher ....................................................Aerotech news and Review photos published in the Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt editor is authorized to use
South Gate VRC ...................................................... 623-856-4768 Editor ....................................................................................... Amy Lamb photos and articles from other .mil or .gov websites.
Submission deadline is at noon the 15th day prior to the month of publication.
Straight-Talk line ..................................................... 623-856-7064 Designer .................................................................................Tinna sellie Contributions for the Thunderbolt can be made via email to amy@aerotechnews. • Increase family income • Call Alicia Powers at
Telephone repair (Base) .......................................... 623-856-4400 Advertising sales ................................................................ 877-247-9288 com. The editor can be reached at 661-310-5712 or amy@aerotechnews.com.
Thrift store .............................................................. 623-935-5782 Luke Air Force Base The Thunderbolt uses material from the Armed Forces Information Service, Air • Stay home with your 623-856-2684
Ticket/tour office ..................................................... 623-856-6000 Commander.................................................Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder Force News Service, AETC News Service and other sources. All advertising is han-
Travco ......................................................................855-896-7939 Public affairs chief ................................................Capt. Candice Dillitte dled by Aerotech News and Review. They can be reached by calling 877-247-9288. children Airmen Against Drunk Driving
Travel management office household goods ........... 623-856-6425 Command information ...................................... Tech. Sgt. Clint Atkins Contents of the Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or en- • Go to
TMO passenger travel ............................................. 623-856-7035 dorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Department • Become licensed
Transient alert ......................................................... 623-856-6204 Editorial Information of the Air Force. Facebook.com/Luke FCC ProviDes riDes For Airmen in neeD
Travel pay ............................................................... 623-856-7028 For past issues of the Thunderbolt, go to The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supple- • Free training and supplies
Vehicle maintenance ............................................... 623-935-6576 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ and click on PDF edition ments, does not constitute endorsement of the products or services advertised by Call 623-856-AADD (2233)
Veterinary services .................................................. 623-856-6354 The Thunderbolt is published by Aerotech News and Review, a private firm in no the DOD, the DAF or Aerotech News and Review. Everything advertised in this • USDA reimbursement • Email
Weather ................................................................... 623-856-6805 way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the 56th publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard
to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap,
Wellness center ....................................................... 623-856-2273 Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This civilian enterprise Air Force news- political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. All available for meals served alicia.powers@us.af.mil
paper is an authorized monthly publication for members of the U.S. military services.
Youth center ............................................................ 623-856-7470 The 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office prepares all editorial content for the photographs are Air Force photographs unless otherwise indicated. Questions? Call Senior Airman Alea Gentles at 623-856-7232.