Luke opens Combat PT Center

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Ryan DeCamp
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base officially opened the Combat PT Center Jan. 21 in front of more than 200 members of the base community. The unveiling of the facility marks the fourth combat oriented physical training venue the base has built or renovated in just over a year.

"This is a typical facility you'll see in the area of responsibility when we deploy," said Lt. Col. John Thomas, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, speaking to those gathered for the grand opening about the semi-permanent structure. "In the AOR this could be used not just for PT but to house aircraft or perform maintenance."

The tan canvassed, Hershey-kiss shaped facility sits adjacent to the eastern wall of the fitness center. The new venue adds 8,000 square feet of indoor physical training space to Luke. "The Combat PT Center has a translucent roof so it's designed to let light in and be energy efficient," Colonel Thomas said. "It is also air conditioned." Fitness equipment lines the inside of the structure and includes squat racks, dumbbells, medicine balls, kettle bells and rowing machines among other equipment. The floor is comprised of rubber mats and inside the ring of equipment lies open space for individual or unit workouts.

Fitness center officials will provide functional fitness and martial arts training in the facility. Along with regularly-scheduled CrossFit and Military Athlete training classes, they will also provide Luke Airmen with training in Air Force Combatives and in the USMC Martial Arts program with instructors from Luke's Marine Corps Reserve 6th Engineer Support Battalion, Bulk Fuel Company Charlie. Also planned are wrestling, boxing and self-defense clinics. Other events at the Combat PT Center include inviting guest speakers to teach proper nutrition, preparation for the Air Force PT test, and proper gymnastic and weight lifting techniques.

The venue impressed Airmen who saw the center and a demonstration of some of the exercises that can be performed. "This looks just like the facilities I saw when I deployed," said Senior Airman Jose Hoskins, 56th Security Forces Squadron patrolman. "This facility will be great with the weather conditions in Arizona." Lt Col Thomas agreed, stating that the average daytime high at Luke last July was 105 degrees, and noting that temperatures on the flight line can reach 123 degrees.

Staff Sergeant Abel Telles, 56th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels specialist, recently returned from Iraq and described the new venue with the word, "Awesome."

"When I deployed I got to work with other branches of the military and they have facilities like this," he said. "That facility brought the branches together and was great for unit PT. It was also great for dealing with the heat."

The 56th CES built the venue in just over three months.

"The challenge here at Luke was to provide a combat PT capability," Colonel Thomas said. "Our squadron took that on and what we have is a facility that was 100 percent constructed by the 56th CES. It's a great undertaking and a proud day to be one of our civil engineers."