New honorary commanders inducted at Luke

  • Published
  • By Mary Jo May
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --   More than 65 local business and community leaders were inducted into the Luke Air Force Base honorary commanders program Saturday during a reception and ceremony. 

The highly-spirited program, narrated by Lt. Col. Jeff Lovelace, 56th Fighter Wing director of staff, and Patrick McDermott, Fighter Country Partnership Honorary Commander chairman, was enjoyed by all. 

The honorary commanders program is just one way the 56th FW seeks to educate the local community on the mission of Luke and the Air Force. It provides the 56th FW commander and base members a community outreach opportunity which fosters relationships between local civic and business leaders and base personnel. 

A community or corporate leader is assigned to each of the base's 27 squadrons and four groups. The honorary commanders are inducted bi-annually during a ceremony indoctrinating them to the base and their new military family. 

The induction ceremony included a parade of all group and squadron guidons with a flag exchange between the military commanders and their assigned honorary commanders signifying their acceptance to take an active part in their assigned squadron or group. 

The purpose of the program is two-fold: It allows community participants to understand the importance of the Luke, Air Force and Defense Department military missions, and it allows military commanders and their units to learn more about the community in which they live. Luke commanders and personnel benefit through increased association with the community and its leaders. 

A video depiction of what makes a good versus a not-so-good honorary commander brought the roof down with laughter. 

"What a wonderful event," said Phillip Hubbard of Hubbard and Hubbard Consultants. "It served as the perfect introduction to Luke, its mission and its personnel. I felt welcomed and honored to be the newest member of this elite family. 

"The base is filled with history, tradition and honor. Its business is deadly serious, but there's no reason why you can't have fun even when you're in the business of national security. This event captured my personal philosophy to a tee -- if you're not having fun at what you do, then you shouldn't be doing it." 

Throughout their two-year tenure, honorary commanders become intimately involved with their assigned squadrons and are invited to base and unit social functions, 
commander's calls, graduations, award banquets and other important events. They are briefed by the 56th FW commander on the mission of Luke and given opportunities to participate in civic leader tours. The honorary commander also extends reciprocal invitations to their squadron.