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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE: Air Force Week ended here March 25 when the second day of “The Show of Force – Heritage to Horizons Air Show” culminated.
Aerial demonstrations consisted of more than 17 performers each day of the two-day event, but before they got off the ground, Brig. Gen. Noel “Tom” Jones, commander of the 56th Fighter Wing, spoke to the crowd.
“This year the Air Force will celebrate 60 years of defending freedom and Luke has been an integral part of both the lasting heritage and limitless horizons of your United States Air Force,” he said.
“Part of that history and future is here with us today,” General Jones said. “They paid significant contributions to your Air Force, to Arizona, and to this great nation, leaving a legacy of integrity, service and excellence.”
While the sky over Luke was filled with performers, the flightline featured 60 static displays, giving visitors a sense of the role Airmen are playing in today's war and a look at the history that Airmen derive their warrior ethos.
“I think in a certain respect it's overwhelming, just to think about the people and the things that they did,” said Jeanne Golden, an attendee of the event, after touring a restored B-17. “I can't even really imagine what it's like to be in combat.”
The Thunderbirds, the premier Air Force aerial demonstration team, helped bring an end to a week's worth of display and performances, showing everyone in attendance the meaning of air power.
Luke was the first of six Air Force bases to host an Air Force Week this year. The events reach beyond the normal open house as Airmen reach out to communities of major cities in an effort to highlight the Air Force's role in today's military operations as the service approaches its 60th anniversary.
