Luke-trained Warriors
Maj. Tom Juntunen, 310th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot with more than 1,500 flying hours in the F-16 Fighting Falcon, conducts a preflight inspection before taking off to participate in a close air support exercise Aug. 2 at Luke Air Force Base. Juntunen's job is to certify a select number of F-16 pilots to be controllers in the sky. With their training at Luke behind them, forward air controllers (airborne) or FAC(A)s prioritize battlefield targets and act as gatekeepers for U.S. Army commanders on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck)