Civic leaders experience Air Force Published May 8, 2007 By Capt. Kristin Haley 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Anyone who saw the air refueling scene in the movie "Air Force One," probably has wondered what that process looks like up close and personal. More than 30 civilian Phoenix area civic leaders found out firsthand during a civic leader tour April 18 through 20. The civilian leaders saw Luke F-16s from the 63rd, 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons refueling in flight from the Air National Guard's 161st Air Refueling Wing KC-135. The tour arranged by the 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office went from Luke to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo. "The Luke civic leaders tour was one of the most memorable experiences of my life," said Rebecca Burnham, attorney with Greenberg Taurig, LLP, of Phoenix. "It was breathtaking to witness an air refueling, and to observe the dexterity and other skill sets required to maneuver two aircraft for that purpose." The mission of the tour was to help community leaders learn and better understand how the U.S. Air Force contributes to our nation's defense, according to Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th FW commander. He said tour participants represented a great crosssection of industry leaders from around the Valley. "Our Airmen today take great pride in serving our country, and I think our civilian business and government leaders felt that same enthusiasm as they met and saw the work of the men and women from the Air National Guard's 161st ARW, Edwards AFB and the U.S. Air Force Academy," General Jones said. The tour at Edwards included the Air Force's newest Global Hawk, the F-22, NASA operations and the world's largest anechoic (not having or producing echoes) chamber. Also on view was the new YAL-1A, a modified Boeing 747-400F known as the Airborne Laser, which recently fired the aircraft's target illuminator laser in-flight for the first time. Steve Yamamori, Fighter Country Partnership executive director, said the tour gave him a better perspective about the Air Force's vital impact on future technologies and the global war on terror. "It was insightful to see just how much the Air Force does, especially because it seems like other branches of the military receive more daily media attention," he said. The trip also included a visit to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where the mission is to inspire and develop young men and women with knowledge, character and discipline, while motivating them to lead the world's greatest aerospace force in service to the nation. The tour group visited the academy airfield, where they saw cadet freefall jump and soaring operations. They also toured the cadet chapel and dined with the cadet wing. Kevin Elliott, a Phoenix area magazine publisher, said the tour allowed him to see the human side of the Air Force, with its pursuit of excellence and its incredible investment in human capital. Other tour participants, including Burnham, said they returned from the tour with not only a reinforced commitment to the mission of Luke, but a better comprehension of the focus and responsibilities of the Air Force. "That includes the need for public support of the enhanced technology -- especially aircraft -- required to safeguard our future," she said. Commenting about the tour from the military perspective, Col. David Orr, 56th FW vice commander, said, We try to set up tours strategically designed with the Air Force's warrior mindset, highlighting specific Air Force missions and targeting specific centers of industry. "Building strong partnerships with community leaders is crucial to ensure Luke's mission: training the world's greatest F-16 pilots and maintainers while deploying Mission Ready Warfighters," he said.