TV 'Hero' visits Luke

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class C.J. Hatch
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  A star from the popular NBC TV series Heroes took flight at Luke without the aid of his superpowers. Milo Ventimiglia, who plays a superhero with many powers including flight, visited Luke Nov. 15 and 16 as an invited guest of the 944th Fighter Wing. 

"The Air Force Reserve has been kind enough to let me tag along for a ride," Mr.
Ventimiglia said. Mr. Ventimiglia, learned about how the Air Force works during his two-day stay at Luke. 

He experienced all the preparation that goes into making a person ready to fly, including
fitting a flight suit and egress training. 

"I just keep going over my egress training in my head; it's important stuff to know," Mr. Ventimiglia said as he prepared for his flight. 

After all his training he met his pilot, Lt. Col. John Wynne, 301st Fighter Squadron
director of operations. 

The next morning Mr. Ventimiglia arrived at the 61st FS, put on his flight gear and went with Colonel Wynne for a pre-departure briefing. At the flightline they greeted the ground crew and began the preflight checks. 

Prior to his flight, Mr. Ventimiglia met with the Tops in Blue, who performed a musical
number from their show. Afterward he answered their career questions. Along with
signing autographs throughout his Luke tour, an autograph event took place at Club
Thunderbolt where more than 100 Luke members stood in line to meet with him. 

"Thank you," he said as he was preparing to leave. "Thank you for your service. It's a big thing and I think people in the armed forces don't get that thanks and support. You do what many people can't or won't do. We appreciate what you do."