2020 Year in Review: People of Luke - The Thunderbolt - Luke AFB

2020 Year in Review: People of Luke

by Aerotech News • January 7, 2021 12:33 pm

People of Luke — Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander, greets Trevor Traina, United States Ambassador to Austria during a base tour Nov. 12, 2020. Traina visited many agencies on base including the Titan Arena, Airman and Family Readiness Center and 61st Fighter Squadron. Traina visited Luke to learn more about Luke’s mission of training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. (Senior Airman Caroline Burnett)

Ambassador tours base

People of Luke — Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander, greets Trevor Traina, United States Ambassador to Austria during a base tour Nov. 12, 2020. Traina visited many agencies on base including the Titan Arena, Airman and Family Readiness Center and 61st Fighter Squadron. Traina visited Luke to learn more about Luke’s mission of training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. (Senior Airman Caroline Burnett)

Luke welcomes new commander

People of Luke — Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander, provides remarks after assuming command from Brig. Gen. Todd Canterbury, 56th Fighter Wing outgoing commander (far right), during the 56th FW change of command ceremony, May 27, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base. Changes of Command are historic ceremonies that honor the achievements of outgoing commanders and pass leadership to incoming commanders. The 56th FW commander oversees the operations of the base including training, safety and wellbeing of Airmen. (Senior Airman Leala Marquez
)

Luke Airman’s story is tale for big screen

People of Luke — Staff Sgt. Oleksandr Kalinin, 56th Force Support Squadron Airman Leadership School instructor, poses for a portrait while holding a family heirloom Aug. 26, 2020. Kalinin brought the amulet with him from Ukraine when he moved to the United States in 2010. The amulet is traditionally kept in a household and is thought to bring an abundant harvest, good luck and keep spirits away. “My story is almost like a movie,” Kalinin said. “Born and raised in Ukraine, I lived there until I was close to 15 years old. The 2008 recession hit, my parents owned a business which was struggling. So my parents, out of desperation, started looking for ways out.” Kalinin’s parents discovered and applied for the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the “green card lottery.” (Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder)

Airman uses creativity to fill void in workplace

People of Luke — Senior Airman Psalm Simmons, 944th Civil Engineer Squadron operations management specialist, poses in front of a mural she painted, Dec. 7, 2019, at Luke Air Force Base. The painting depicts her squadron mascot – “Prime B.E.E.F.” (Courtesy photo)

Senior Airman volunteers, aids veterans amidst COVID-19

People of Luke — Senior Airman Montana McCormick, 56th Force Support Squadron lead recreational specialist, trims a tree in Avondale. McCormick regularly volunteers in the communities surrounding Luke Air Force Base. Luke employs more than 6,900 active-duty and Reserve members, and civilian employees who dedicate their time to Luke’s mission while also supporting the community. (Senior Airman Leala Marquez )

Thunderbolt becomes AF’s first PTA to bypass technical school

People of Luke — Airman 1st Class Emily Perina, 56th Healthcare Operations Squadron physical therapist assistant, smiles for a portrait July 10, 2020. (Photos by Airman 1st Class Brooke Moeder)

Tags: People of Luke, Year in review

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