56th Fighter Wing

Mission

To train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.

Training (Fiscal 2017)

F-16
B-course graduates 188

F-35
B-course graduates 105

MRA graduates 843

Intelligence specialists 79

Nurse graduates 39

Medical lab technician graduates 8

Critical care/emergency trauma fellowship graduates 16

Leadership

Wing commander: Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury

Vice wing commander: Col. Michael Richardson

Director of staff: Lt. Col. Aaron Jelinek

Command chief: Chief Master Sgt.
Ronald Thompson

Operations Group commander:
Col. Matthew Renbarger

Maintenance Group commander:
Col. Gregory Hutson

Mission Support Group commander:
Col. Robert Sylvester

Medical Group commander:
Col. (Dr.) Daniel Lamar

54th Fighter Group: Col. Michael Boger

Wing staff agencies

Comptroller squadron: Pays Airmen and bills, provides commanders resources and advice needed to execute missions.

Commander: Maj. Sean Kelliher

Equal opportunity: Assists in eliminating the effects of social problems that detract from the mission.

Director: Ronald Goodwyn

Command post: Serves as the eyes and ears for the wing commander 24-hours-a-day and as the nerve center for Luke Air Force Base operations.

Chief, command post: Master Sgt. Andre Leonard

Chapel: A spiritual needs-based ministry impacting the wing and air expeditionary force missions any time, any place.

Wing chaplain: Chaplain (Maj.) R. John Boyer

Historian: Documents the activities of Luke AFB and provides historical reference services.

Historian: Richard Griset

Inspector general: An independent agency that investigates complaints, allegations of reprisal, improper mental health referrals, fraud, waste and abuse.

IG: Lt. Col. Matthew Busch

Information protection: Provides a secure environment for protecting sensitive information assets and enabling sustainable capability for seamless information exchange.

Chief: Ron Hoover

Staff judge advocate: Provides legal services for the 56th FW.

Staff judge advocate: Lt. Col. Pilar Wennrich

Deputy: Maj. Justina Hooper

Public affairs: Provides information on Luke issues, programs and base events to Airmen, the community and news media; provides counsel to leaders. Programs are designed to increase public understanding of the wing’s mission.

Chief: Maj. Rebecca Heyse

Deputy chief: Sean Clements

Sexual assault prevention and response office: Ensures victims of sexual assault receive the care and support they require; uses education and intervention to foster an environment free of sexual assault.

SAPR coordinator: Evelyn Perez

Safety office: Provides the wing with risk management processes to facilitate the commander’s safety programs.

Chief: Lt. Col. Matthew Veddar

Wing Plans and Programs: Enhances Thunderbolt readiness in support of wing and headquarters planning, execution and expeditionary force objectives.

Chief: Joseph Ciadella

Protocol: Focal point for organizing distinguished visitor visits to Luke; provides policy and procedural guidance, proper protocol requirements and special handling for distinguishing visitors, dignitaries and official military ceremonies and social functions

Chief: Rodney Winfield

Range Management/Airspace: Provides management of the air-to-air and air-to-ground tactical aviation range complexes and airspace while incorporating environment stewardship of the natural and cultural resources on the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

Director: Chas Buchanan

Community initiatives team: Serves as the primary liaison between the 56th FW commander and surrounding political subdivisions, developers and major stakeholders interested in coordinating compatible land development in areas impacted by the flying mission of Luke AFB.

Director: Rusty Mitchell

Wing staff agencies superintendent: Master Sgt. Justin Wheeler

First sergeant: Master Sgt. Ronaldo Collantes

56th Comptroller Squadron

Mission: Deliver world-class decision support on all financial matters while deploying mission-ready Airmen.

Demographics: Two officers, 17 enlisted and 13 civilian employees.

Leadership

Commander: Maj. Sean Kelliher

Superintendent: Master Sgt. Justin Wheeler

First sergeant: Master Sgt. Rolando Collantes

Responsibilities: Plans and executes $181 million operations and maintenance budget; maintains operational control of more than $700 million; performs cost analysis and economic studies; provides financial customer support for more than 6,000 military, civilians and Reserve personnel.

Fun facts: Comptrollers (a.k.a. Paymasters) have been “making it rain” since established by the Continental Congress in 1775.