Page 12 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 11-13-15

Nov. 13, 2015
12 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
Sonny Weems, Phoenix Suns player, takes a group photo
with children from Luke Air Force Base.
Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns head coach, leaves the court
after stating the rules for a half-court game. Players were hugs Lt. Col. Shawn Ortiz, 944th Opera-
matched to Airmen who won a signed jersey when the
played made a basket from half-court.
Story and photos by Staff Sgt.
MARCY COPELAND
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs members of fallen heroes, and anx-
The Phoenix Suns basketball
team visited Luke Air Force Base
and treated Airmen and families of
the Luke community to a training
practice in support of personnel in
the armed services.
Before practice, the team toured
Luke’s feature jet, the F-35 Light-
ning II. Lt. Col. Matthew Vedder,
62nd Fighter Squadron director of
operations, escorted team members
and staff to view the F-35 and an-
swered questions for players about
the importance of the F-35 program
and what it means for the Air Force.
“Seeing the F-35 was amazing,”
said Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Sun’s
center. “I have never been that close
to such a powerful plane before and
then hearing all the detail that goes
into it was just amazing.”
After visiting the flightline, the
Phoenix Suns arrived at the Bry-
Archie Goodwin, Phoenix Suns guard,
tions Group intel officer.
nothing but
net at Luke
ant Fitness Center where they
were met by members of the 56th
Security Forces Squadron, family
iously awaiting Airmen in uniform.
The team performed a sample of
their routine practice schedule,
demonstrating different warm-up
exercises and shooting drills.
At the end of practice, Airmen
were selected from the audience
to be matched with a player. Each
player was given two chances to
score from the half-court line. If
the shot was made, the Airman
would receive a signed jersey
of that player. As every player
stepped up to shoot, anticipa-
tion was felt as the ball traveled
through the air. The crowd and
players groaned with every missed
shot, but as the ball met the net
with a swoosh, excitement and
cheers sent both the player and
lucky Airman to congratulate one
another with a rebuild of anticipa- work that service members do
tion for the next shot.
Jeff Hornacek, Phoenix Suns head coach, swooshed it in after t
one shot from half-court.
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
The players threw into the cro
miniature basketballs and Phoen
Suns shirts, while meeting fa
to-face with Thunderbolts to si
memorabilia.
“The men and women here a
the ultimate team,” Chandler sa
“They are our protectors, day
and day out allowing us to do wh
we love. It is more inspiration
for us to come out and be amon
them. Any time you represent yo
country, it is the highest honor
The Phoenix Suns practice ga
players an opportunity to give ba
to the men, women and famil
of Luke Air Force Base and sh
their gratitude for serving.
“This was great,” said Jeff H
nacek, Phoenix Suns head coa
“To come here and interact w
everybody has been a lot of f
for the guys. We appreciate all t
us in keeping this country safe a
free for us to be basketball coach
and players.”