Come and join the club

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stephen Delgado
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Remember the days when most Air Force bases had officer and NCO clubs, and some bases even had an enlisted club. As with almost everything in the Air Force, there have been changes and the club scene is no different. 

Luke Air Force Base features Club Thunderbolt and the Desert Star Club. Club Thunderbolt was originally the officer's club and the Desert Star Club was the enlisted club, but today they are both open for all military personnel to join. The clubs are also available for special functions such as theme parties, bingo, retirement and promotion parties and Airman Leadership School graduations, according to John Myrick III, Luke club general manager. 

The principal holdover from the past is that the bar in Club Thunderbolt is for officers and the bar in the Desert Star Club is for enlisted members, he said. 

Mr. Myrick said there are a lot of advantages to becoming a member of Club Thunderbolt. 

"Our club offers excellent meals at reasonable prices in a luxurious atmosphere," he said. "Members receive discounts at all force support squadron places such as the golf course and bowling alley." 

What's more, individual membership dues keep the club going. 

"We don't receive any appropriated funds, so membership dues and monies from the restaurant and bar keep us afloat," Mr. Myrick said. "Most bases have one club because it is financially advantageous to do so. Our goal is to make a small profit and provide our members with first-class service and an excellent product." 

A membership drive is planned for late summer. The monthly dues are $19 for officers, $5 for E-5 through E-9, $4 for E-1 through E-4, $5 for widows or widowers with death certificate and retirees are charged the rate of rank at retirement. Dues can be paid on a yearly basis, Mr. Myrick said. 

Before joining, the person will be asked to fill out a membership form and will receive a temporary card. The prospective member has the choice of receiving a Master Card or an Air Force proprietary card, which is good at FSS establishments, he said. 

This method is different from the past when the applicant would have the choice of a Visa or Master Card. Many people didn't like the idea of having another credit card. The new way has been well received, Mr. Myrick said. 

There are profound reasons that have affected officer and enlisted clubs. Two variables are 9-11 and outside competitions, especially when a base is located in a large metropolitan area. 

"Before 9-11, many civilians would come to the clubs to have lunch or dinner," Mr. 
Myrick said. "After 9-11, these people weren't allowed on base, so revenues suffered a drastic drop. Also, a base such as Luke is located in an area where there are restaurants of all tastes and types of food, as well as nightclubs and other entertainment venues, which cut into the revenue a base club would have. At bases located in isolated places, the traditional club can still thrive." 

However, Mr. Myrick encourages people on base to join Club Thunderbolt. Lunch is offered from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. A person has the choice of an all-you-can-eat buffet or ordering a la carte. Dinner is served Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m. 

There are always specials and Club Thunderbolt is a great place to celebrate special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries, he said. 

Mr. Myrick has been at Luke for 15 months. He made his debut managing Air Force clubs at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, in 1997. 

For more information on joining Club Thunderbolt or activities at the Desert Star Club, call Mr. Myrick at (623) 856-6446.