HERO fund write check

Maj. Gen. Irving Halter, 19th Air Force commander, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, presented a Hero Funds check for $18,819 to Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander. The funds will be used to purchase new furniture in the mission-ready airman dorms, as well as a gazebo area for dorm

Dunkin' dad

CE members help build base on mountain top

Gunfire, austere conditions, enemy threats and far away from home. "This forward operating base would be built in the worst terrain that the country of Afghanistan had to offer, sitting on top of a mountain surrounded by mountains," said Master Sgt. Randall Kinser, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron,

State Honors Tuskegee Airmen

The state of Arizona honored 14 Tuskegee Airmen during a ceremony May 24 on the capitol lawn. Governor Janet Napolitano issued a proclamation and presented replicas of the Congressional Gold Medal to the Airmen or family representatives in honor of the "Red Tail Angels'" service to their

Thunderbolt of the Week: Staff Sgt. Stephanie Ruepp

Staff Sgt. Stephanie Ruepp, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron, Unit Fitness Program Manager Hometown: Blanco, Texas Years in service: Six Education: Working on my Community College of the Air Force degree in professional aeronautics Previous assignments: Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and Osan Air

Joint effort saves Pronghorn at BMGR

In 2002, the estimated 18 Sonoran pronghorn surviving in the desert were in danger of becoming extinct. Just five years later, they number 100-plus, largely because of a captive breeding enclosure and the commitment of several federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Air Force. The 56th Range

Memorial Day ceremonies

A ceremony will be conducted 10 a.m. Sunday at the Arrowhead Memorial Gardens, located on the Community Church of Joy Campus. Col. David Orr, 56th Fighter Wing vice commander, is guest speaker. The Northwest Valley Veterans Association is conducting a ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday at Sunland Memorial

Museum focused on Sonoran Desert conservation

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum located in Tucson is home to a world-renowned zoo, natural history museum and botanical garden, all in one. Founded in 1952 by William Carr and Arthur Pack, the Desert Museum is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the Sonoran Desert.

Bioenvironmental - Protecting the health and safety of all Thunderbolts

In order to keep the more than 200 Luke F-16s up and flying, some Airmen are frequently exposed to chemicals, that if not monitored could become a health risk. To protect the Air Force's greatest asset at Luke, a squadron of 15 Airmen specializes in dealing with those types of issues. According to

New AZ DUI law gets tougher

Arizona just got tougher on convicted DUI offenders and Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th Fighter Wing commander, said Luke Airmen should take note. Last Friday, a bill was signed into law requiring drivers with a bloodalcohol content above .20 percent to spend 45 days in jail without any time