Salute to Luke Week

KTAR News presents Salute to Luke Week.

History of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

In 1947, while the jet age was still in its infancy, military aviation was hurtled into the future with the creation of the U.S. Air Force as a separate service. Just six years later, on May 25, 1953, the Air Force’s official air demonstration team, designated the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, was activated at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The unit adopted the name “Thunderbirds,” influenced in part by the strong Native American culture and folklore from the southwestern United States where Luke Air Force Base is located.

The need to support Luke Air Force Base

As a 2.17 Billion dollar economic engine for the State of Arizona, Luke deserves our attention. When you have the world’s largest Air Force Base in your backyard, you’ve got to protect it. Fighter Country Partnership has done just that locally and in our Nation’s capital for more than 10 years.

For more information on Luke Air Force Base:

• Luke Air Force Base
• FighterCountry.org
• Facebook: Luke AFB, Arizona-56th Fighter 
• Twitter: @LukeAFB
• YouTube: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 

 

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