Luke hosts ‘Thunder in Desert’

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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Air Force Base hosted Luke Days 2009 Thunder in the Desert Open House and Air Show Saturday and Sunday to demonstrate the capabilities of the U.S. Air Force. Visitors were able to see the history of the Air Force in the numerous static airplane displays set up on the flightline. From the vintage aircraft on display to the newest in the Air Force inventory, visitors to Luke Days caught a glimpse of yesterday's and today's American fire power.

The event was attended by more than 200,000 visitors and included aerial demonstrations by a variety of military and civilian air teams including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, the ACC F-22 Raptor demonstration team, the A-10 West demo team, Ed Hamill Air Shows, Tim Weber Air Shows, Bill Reesman, Kirby Chambliss, Younkin Air Shows, Chuck Aaron and more. 

Luke has hosted air shows since the 1950s and Mary Jo May, 56th Fighter Wing community relations chief, said the weekend was a huge success. 

"It shows a lot of dedication on the part of the public to come out and show the Air Force and the military their support," she said. "It was wonderful that they want to learn about their military in action and they were willing to wait in long lines and heavy traffic, extreme heat and strong winds to attend the event this weekend. I am so grateful for the public that came out and showed their support of the military and willingness to learn what we do."

Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs