Base speakers reach out to community

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Larry Schneck
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base Airmen and Defense Department civilian personnel assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing have taken their passion for air power to the general public through a base-wide program run by the 56th FW Public Affairs Office.

Barbara Plante, 56th FW Public Affairs community relations specialist, oversees more than 200 speakers, which include enlisted members, commissioned officers and civilians, who reach out to communities surrounding the base and talk about Luke and the Air Force mission.

"While pilots are our most sought after public speakers, Airmen come from every career field," Ms. Plante said. "You match the speaker's expertise to the interest of the audience. We have people who talk in front of chambers of commerce, church groups and Kiwanis Clubs. Local leaders ask for someone to come to a meeting or other event, and the speakers bureau acts as a go-between."

The public affairs office has spearheaded the program for the local command. Ms. Plante has led the program at Luke since 2002. She feels the speakers bureau is an excellent way to educate the community.

"It's a good way to give out information on the job that Airmen do in support of our nation's defense," she said.

Capt. William Dean, 21st Fighter Squadron pilot, is one of the speakers who volunteers his time. He puts on an Air Force uniform and spends off-duty hours talking about his on-duty service.

There's a thirst to know about the military, the Air Force and Luke in Phoenix, according to Captain Dean.

"Luke has a tremendous story to tell," Captain Dean said. "From training the world's greatest fighter pilots and maintainers, to deploying Airmen across the world, our communities want, and need to know, this story first-hand from the people who serve them."

Ms. Plante first contacts unit commanders and senior enlisted members, like a squadron's first sergeant. The squadron recruits the best person from its ranks who is the most knowledgeable on a particular subject.

Speakers are briefed to stay in their lane of expertise. Luke speakers bureau members can speak about the Luke mission, their job in the military or provide a patriotic-themed speech. Veterans Day and Memorial Day are holidays when an increased number of Luke Airmen talk to local audiences in the Phoenix area.

Not all venues are off-base. Some of the time speakers don't have to leave the office.

"We support speaking events on Luke where Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets come from Northern Arizona University to the base on day trips," Ms. Plante said.

Students visit military offices and work centers to hear presentations and briefings as well as learn first-hand the Luke mission.

Another popular time for speakers to go into the local community is leading up to a major open house event on Luke.

"It gets busier in the years there's an air show," Ms. Plante said. "It is a way to talk about the show and publicize what's coming up."

Sometimes the speakers have a lifetime impact on a member of the audience, as in the case with Captain Dean.

"If it wasn't for an F-16 pilot taking the time to tell (me) about the greatest job in the world when I was 9 years old, I'd probably be stuck wearing a tie somewhere," Captain Dean said.

For more information about the speaker's bureau, call Ms. Plante at (623) 856-7994.