Reminiscing About Luke Days

Reminiscing

About Luke Days

The event has been canceled for a 3rd time

BY ALLISON BROWN

Sound of Freedom Sta Writer

With 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 fi ghter pilots and combat-ready airmen. Unfortunately, due to ongoing supply chain issues, rising costs of products and services, and other related eff ects of COVID-19, I determined the best course of action was to cancel this year’s show.”

Th e free event and decadeslong tradition was scheduled for Saturday, March 19, and Sunday, March 20, at Luke Air Force Base. Aft er 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. Th ere were dozens of aerial acts, ground acts and static displays scheduled.

Th e U.S. Air Force Th underbirds 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

Historical Luke Days from the base include the Heritage Flight

from 2016. (Submitted photo) Luke Days was canceled for a third year in a row due to

COVID-19. (Photo by Michael Jordan)

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice putting on an aerial

display. (Photo by Michael Jordan)

team, the Desert Rats, a Red Bull civilian team and Tucker’s Air Patrol.

In addition to the acts in the sky, static displays would have included the T-7, F-16s, F-35s and A-10s, according to Sites. There were also heritage aircrafts, too, like the World War II P-47 Thunderbolts and B-25 bombers, as well as unique items such as the Apache helicopters and some tanks. Usually, people are invited to walk through some of the aircrafts and can climb up to take a peek at the cockpit.

Before the event was canceled, Sites says everyone was excited about the event. Command Chief Master Sgt. Daniel Weimer of the 56th Fighter Wing says Luke Days is a great way for the public to get insight into what the Air Force base does and has become a staple in the community.

“Since 1941, we have been a part of and have worked closely with our neighboring communities,” Weimer says. “Luke Days is another opportunity to showcase the awesome airpower your Air Force provides to our great nation and to, above all, say thank you for your support.”

Sites says the air show offers a sense of wonderment and something to aspire to for kids, a bit of nostalgia for veterans and a full day of entertainment for everyone in between. He says there is something there for everyone to enjoy, which is made evident by the tens of thousands of people who attend.

In previous years, more than 250,000 people attended the air show, making it the largest two-day event in the state. Sites says the show is free to the public because leaders at Luke Air Force Base want to give the community a look at what goes on behind the scenes, and its benefit is twofold.

“It’s important for the American taxpayer to see what our military is,” he says. “And then it’s incredibly important for the civilians to have access and encourage them to see what the military is. The air show ends up becoming the largest recruiting tool for our branches of service.”

Kreuder admits no one is happy about having to cancel again, but the decision was made in the best interest of everyone involved. He adds, however, that this is not the end of Luke Days, and the base has plans to continue the event in the future.

“This was a tough decision, as we were all really excited to host what would have been an amazing event and thank those who we are honored to serve,” Kreuder says. “We are normally on a two-year cycle and our next scheduled show is in 2024; however, we will explore opportunities to host one earlier, if possible.”