Base services provided for Luke Airmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  For Airmen who are at Luke Air Force Base for the first time or are not aware of resources provided on base, it might come as a surprise to know there is a wide variety of services available.

Some services Luke members can take advantage of for physical activities are the bowling center, golf course, Fort Tuthill, Bryant Fitness Center, Combat PT Center and outdoor recreation.

"With the high demands the military can put on families, base services are valuable because they help members decompress and gives them opportunities to spend time with family and friends," said Jeanette Mijokovich, 56th Force Support Squadron marketing director.

Airman 1st Class Reymundo Lopez, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron cast member, said he enjoys using the fitness center and bowling center on a regular basis.

"The fitness center is important to aid Airmen in being physically fit, which is imperative to the Air Force and our mission," he said. "I also enjoy using the bowling center because it provides recreational fun after a week of work."

Other services include the arts and crafts shop, wood shop, framing shop and the auto hobby shop. There is also an auto repair business called Bumper2Bumper.

Deana Nobles, Bumper2Bumper shop estimator, said having the company is a convenience for Luke members because it's on base.

"Being on base for four and a half years has allowed us to better understand what Airmen go through with deployments, changes-of-stations and temporary duty assignments," she said. "I had an Airman who recently came back from a deployment and needed an estimate the same day because he was immediately leaving for San Diego. We do what we can to help people get what they need so they can move forward."

For family and pet needs there is the Child Development Center, youth center and veterinary clinic.

The CDC has after-school programs. The youth center provides homework assistance, social and leisure activities, sports activities, and summer and holiday camps. The veterinary clinic provides vaccinations, wellness exams, heartworm testing and other related services, but does not provide emergency or surgical services.

The library and Silver Wings Pool are other places that are open for Luke Airmen.

The pool offers lap and open swimming, scuba diving lessons and swim lessons. The library offers an array of programs that include the summer reading program, toddler time, story time, book clubs, tutoring, language programs and a multitude of resources.

"Having a library on base offers Luke members a plethora of information," said Lacey Quattlebaum, 56th FSS library technician. "It provides a variety of video games, DVDs and TV series, books for reading and study aids for taking CLEPS and DANTEs tests, and computers."

Spring Fest, Freedom Fest and Holiday Magic are three base-wide events for Luke families throughout the year. Spring Fest is around Easter, Freedom Fest is on July 4 and Holiday Magic is around Christmas time.

Spring Fest includes the annual egg hunt, food, music and other activities. Freedom Fest has live music, contests, booths and ends with fireworks. Holiday Magic is the base's annual tree lighting ceremony with snow for children, hay rides, food, music and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

There is also a program for families of deployed Airmen called the Play Pass.

"Families of deployed military members can use the pass, which is normally about $500, toward programs and classes on base free of charge," Mijokovich said.

For more information about base services, call Mijokovich at (623) 856-3245.