Reflecting on 2011, looking forward to 2012

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. JD Harris
  • 56th Fighter Wing, commander
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Happy New Year, Thunderbolts! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday season. As we gear up for 2012, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what we have accomplished over the past 12 months.

Thanks to your hard work and dedication, 2011 was a great year for Team Luke. We excelled at our mission of training the world's greatest F-16 fighter pilots and maintainers, while deploying mission-ready warfighters.

This year, we flew nearly 23,000 sorties, which totaled approximately 30,000 hours. We trained 295 Viper pilots and 550 crew chiefs. These young men and women represent the tip of the spear in America's defense.

At the same time, we deployed 480 Airmen around the world in support of overseas contingency operations. Our Airmen served everywhere from Southwest Asia to South America and Western Europe to the Caribbean.

Our hard work did not go unnoticed. This year alone, Luke Airmen garnered 101 AETC-level awards, 13 Air Force-level awards, five 19th Air Force-level awards, and our safety shop was even recognized at the Department of Defense level. I'm very proud of the accomplishments these awards represent.

We also excelled in two major inspections this year.

In October, Air Education and Training Command conducted a Unit Compliance Inspection. Months of intense preparation paid off, and the wing's overall score of "Excellent" validated the excellence and professionalism I have seen since I took command. We had no repeat write-ups or major deficiencies, and several of our units even garnered an "Outstanding" rating.

Forty-five days later, our Medical Group underwent a Health Services Inspection, which evaluates the readiness of medical facilities and units to ensure compliance with federal and civilian policies. Our MDG received a score of 95, an Outstanding overall rating, which is the best seen to date at Luke. Their hard work paid off with great results.

On top of these inspections, deployments and an intense training schedule, we also made time to honor our Air Force heritage. We had a very successful Air Force Ball in September and a tremendous Open House in March, when we hosted a record-breaking 250,000-plus of our friends and neighbors to show them what we do at Luke and what airpower is all about.

We remained active in the community throughout the rest of the year as well. Luke Airmen volunteered more than 100,000 hours in the local community. We conducted dozens of flyovers in support of community events and had the privilege of having our Airmen speak to thousands of people at school and civic functions in the region. We're truly blessed to have such great community support here in the West Valley, and these are some of the ways we're able to give back.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to remember Lt. Col. Frank Bryant Jr., one of our own Airmen deployed to Afghanistan from the 56th Operations Group, who was killed in action on April 27. He was an excellent pilot, Wingman and Airman, and he will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family and friends.

His sacrifice serves as a stark reminder about the serious nature of what we do. Those of us who wear the uniform and the civilians who work beside us have answered a higher calling. I salute you for your service to our nation.

It's an honor to serve beside each and every one of you as we start this New Year. We have a great year to look forward to, and together, we will succeed. Aim high ... fly, fight, win!