Luke 1 pins on BG rank

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Phil Ventura
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The commander of the 56th Fighter Wing assumed the rank of brigadier general July 28 during a ceremony at Luke's Collocated Club.

Numerous family members, local and state officials, and Luke supporters were in attendance as retired Lt. Gen. Richard Bethurem presided over the event for Col. Tom Jones.

"This is a great day for the West Valley, Luke and especially the Jones family," General Bethurem said.

And for the Jones' the event truly was a family affair.

After the orders for promotion were published, Brig. Gen. Jones' wife Debbie and daughter Dani came forward to pin the stars on his service dress jacket. His parents, retired Lt. Col. Lem and Margaret Jones then helped him place new epaulets on his uniform. Finally, his three brothers, Col. James Jones, retired Lt. Col. Lem Jones Jr. and Mr. Ron Jones each pinned a star on three of his flight caps.

After receiving his flag from the 56th FW command chief, Chief Master Sgt. Mitchell Stippel, the Air Force's newest general officer thanked those in attendance and reflected on his career.

"I didn't join the Air Force to become a general, and I did not get to this point by myself," General Jones said. "To my family, the leaders, role models, mentors, the pushes, the love -- thank you. I am truly honored to stand before you as a brigadier general."

General Jones is a command pilot with more than 3,500 hours in the T-33, T-37, T-38 and F-16 aircraft. He has served as commander of the 56th Fighter Wing since June.

Prior to his promotion, he was awarded the Legion of Merit award for his work as commandant of the Squadron Officers' College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and then as the Inspector General for Air Combat Command, Langley AFB, Va.