F E AT U R E
Reminiscing
About Luke Days
The event has been canceled for a 3rd time BY ALLISON BROWN Sound of Freedom Staff Writer
Luke Days was canceled for a third year in a row due to COVID-19. (Photo by Michael Jordan)
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ith Arizona’s premier air show, Luke Days, canceled for the third year in a row due to challenges with COVID-19 and economic strain, those on and off Luke Air Force Base are left reminiscing about the glory days of prior shows. “Our airmen, alongside our community and corporate partners, have worked tirelessly over the past several months to plan a tremendous show that would excite and inspire future generations,” says Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter wing commander. “We were really looking forward to showcasing airpower to the amazing communities who support Luke and our mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready airmen. Unfortunately, due to ongoing supply chain issues, rising costs of products and services, and other related effects of COVID-19, I determined the best course of action was to cancel this year’s show.” The free event and decadeslong tradition was
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Historical Luke Days from the base include the Heritage Flight from 2016. (Submitted photo) scheduled for Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, at Luke Air Force Base. After having been canceled in both 2020 and 2021, Ron Sites, president and CEO of Fighter Country Partnership, says they had plenty of time to plan and had nailed down the shows to create what would have been an elite performance. There were dozens of aerial acts, ground acts and stat-
Sound of Freedom | MARCH/APRIL 2022
ic displays scheduled. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds were set to headline the event, showcasing their elite piloting skills through complex maneuvers that, according to Sites, were always a show-stopper for the crowd. Other aerial acts would have included the U.S. Air Force F-35 demonstration team, U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue parachute
