Contest to pick Luke Days 2007 theme

  • Published
  • By Mary Jo May
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Luke Days Air Show is planned for March 24 and 25, 2007, however the date is still dependent upon the U.S. Air Force Thunderbird performance schedule for 2007.

In the meantime, members of the committee are spinning up their planning efforts for the 2007 air show. The committee is soliciting ideas for an air show theme and the public affairs office is conducting an air show theme contest for which prizes will be awarded to the individual with the best theme focusing on the 60th Anniversary of the Air Force.

On Sept. 18, 1947, the U.S. Air Force became the newest military service branch after separating from the Army Air Corps, and W. Stuart Symington was sworn in as the first Secretary of the Air Force.

The Air Force begins its observance of the 60th anniversary Oct. 13 through 15 with the dedication of the Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C. and concludes in the fall of 2007 with a global air chiefs conference. The theme for the 60th Anniversary is "Heritage to Horizons" commemorating 60 years of air and space power.

The objectives of the 60th Anniversary program is to commemorate the importance of air and space power and our heritage; highlight air force emergence as a key to successful joint, allied and coalition combat operations, educate the public, other services and the government on Air Force contributions to the defense of the United States of America and its global interests.

The celebration is also to thank our communities, our allies and our people, leverage military-to-military engagements opportunities to strengthen coalition partnerships and facilitate enhanced allied cooperation in the global war on terrorism and increase pride in the Air Force team.

While many of our Luke Airmen are deployed, those who remain at home are shouldering an extra load to ensure our mission is accomplished each day.

Therefore, the intent throughout the 60th anniversary commemoration will be to capitalize on existing planned activities and to encourage cross flow of new ideas that honor our great heritage and focus on our limitless horizons.

Please submit your air show theme ideas to 56fw.pa@luke.af.mil.