309th FS graduates 14

  • Published
  • By Lt Col. Peter Davey
  • 309th Fighter Squadron commander
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  It is once again time in the 309th Fighter Squadron where we celebrate the graduation of
14 young officers ready to take their place in our current war on terrorism. 

As I look back on the last seven months of training, I need to first thank everyone at Luke
for supporting class 06-JBC on their migration tobecoming fledgling CAF Viper drivers. Brig. Gen. Tom Jones has stated several times that our mission is to "Train the world's greatest F-16 fighter pilotsand maintainers while deploying mission-ready war fighters." There is no doubt this fact is 100 percent true. 

As these young officers walk across the stage Saturday, they will do so while 316 members of our base are deployed in harm's way. Thank you to all Luke members at home and abroad, and it is a tribute to all of you these world class graduates can join our ranks. As the commander of these graduates, it is an honor to tell you a little bit more about Class 06-JBC. 

The class consists of four captains and 10 lieutenants. The class leader was selected based on incredibly in-depth selection criteria involving several mathematical programs and three computer formulas -- also known to most military folks as date of rank. Capt. Matt "Bueller" Shaw was the lucky winner who cross-trained from the B-1 and T-38 to fly the mighty Viper. The rest of the old guys included Capt. Jason "Alogie" Hawk who flew
Apache helicopters for the Army Guard, Capt. Dave "POTAS" Snodgrass who was a T-6 instructor pilot, and Capt. Ed "Sheikn" Stapanon who worked in CE in his former life. I don't know if he helped, but I now have a better parking lot. The professional captains are joined by 10 sharp lieutenants: 1st Lt.  Joshua "El Douche" Arki, 1st Lt. Scott "Shangus" Cheslak, 1st Lt. Kevin "Rocky" DiFalco, 1st Lt. Greg "Bags" Levenson, 1st Lt. Matt "Gorby" Marshall, 1st Lt. Rich "Barrage" Peace, 1st Lt. Robert "PShaft" Pneuman, 1st Lt. Mike "T-Retz" Watkins, 1st Lt. Brian "Flex" Watts and 1st Lt. Joseph "CASPr" Witt.
It is amazing how creativity flows from a simple request, "tell us about yourself." 

As our aspiring aviators hit the flightline, it was obvious to the 309th FS instructors we had a talented group ready to conquer the Luke ramp and airspace. After successfully completing initial checkrides, JBC proved they were ready for the airto-air phase. From 1 v 1 basic fighter maneuvers, to complex multi-adversary scenarios, JBC shined.
After honing their air-to-air skills, we were off to the bombing range. Again, JBC was up to the challenge.  They quickly mastered dropping bombs and took this skill into our tactics rides, culminating in a large force exercise known as Feathered Fury that
involved up to 12 F-16s fighting eight F-16s and F-5s acting as Red Air. It was the perfect graduationexercise to prepare them for their operational tours showcasing American fighting power. 

As they walk out the door, the Ducks are proud to see them leave and are eager to hear of their exploits out "on the pointy end of the spear." It has been fun having them as part of the squadron, and we wish them all the luck in their Air Force careers.  Remember, Once a Duck, Always a Duck!