Frank Luke Chapter 151
Volume 21, Issue 2
April-June 2015
Chapter hosts SW Region conference
More than 60 members of AFA’s Southwest Region attended the 2015 region conference June 5-6
at the Wigwam Resort & Spa in Litchfield Park.
Viper Vigilant
Is published quarterly
for members of the Frank Luke
Chapter of the
Air Force Association.
View digital copy at
www.afaluke.org
The region, which covers 4 chapters in Arizona
(Prescott, Frank Luke, Tucson and Cochise in Sierra
Vista); 3 in New Mexico (Holloman, Clovis and Albuquerque) and 1 in Nevada (Las Vegas), rotates conference locations each year.
Inside this issue:
The conference began with registration Friday and
featured a talk about Luke’s F-35 program by the
61st Fighter Squadron’s Maj. Brian Hellesto.
President’s
Message
2
After an early breakfast Saturday, opening ceremonies featured the Civil Air Patrol’s honor guard,
with A1C Adriana Van Wyk, Frank Luke chapter
president, singing the National Anthem.
Chapter Dinner
3
Golf tourney
4
Teachers, medals
5
Advertisers
6
Partners list
7
Name contest
8
Region President Ross Lampert introduced AF
Ret. Lt. Gen. John F. Regni, who discussed sustaining military installations. A 1973 Air Force Academy
graduate, Regni became superintendent in 2005. He
retired in 2009 and chairs the Southwest Defense
Alliance, a regional board supporting bases/posts
and ranges in six states.
Guest speaker Lt. Gen. Mark Nowland congratulates A1C Adriana Van Wyk as Senior
Amn. James Bradley looks on. (See more
photos at www.afaluke.org)
Smith and Cadet Commander Dakota Cornelius, Arnold Air Society.
Advocacy at the local level was covered by
Mark Tarpley, AFA Field Council, via WebEx
and local legislative representatives Michael
Jameson (Congressman Trent Franks’ office)
and Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers.
Joe Marvin, State president, and Eric Jameson,
State VP/Aerospace Education, launched the day’s
presentations and panels. Jameson covered AFA
aerospace education programs and introduced NaCunningham, with input by AFA’s Paula
tional Teacher of the Year Kaci Heins of Prescott and Roy via WebEx, talked about AFA’s Wounded
2015 Arizona Teacher of the Year Jeff Herold of
Airman Program, which devotes 100% of doGlendale, who described their winning programs.
nations for direct support of airmen’s needs.
Lampert spoke about AFA’s CyberPatriot program
and his role as CyberPatriot advocate at Cochise
Chapter. Local mentor Jay Cash described the function of volunteer mentors.
Jameson and Las Vegas’ Bob Cunningham discussed UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) integration
and the growing role of “drones” nationwide.
Interaction with Civil Air Patrol and Air Force
ROTC featured Ret. Lt. Col. Linda Yeager, 388th
Composite Sq commander, and ASU’s Capt. Nikki
Capping the evening was Lt. Gen. Mark C.
Nowland, 12th AF and Air Forces Southern
Commander at Davis-Monthan AFB. His personal interaction with audience members was
a refreshing approach.
Focusing on young people in uniform (the
CAP honor guard and five airman attendees),
he stressed that they are our future in national
defense, and we all must ensure that leaders
at all levels meet their needs, especially in the
face of sequestration.
Calendar
June 18 — Exec. Council
meeting, 11:30a, C56
June 24—CCAF graduation, C56
July 11—Chapter dinner,
6p, C56
July 16 — Exec. Council
meeting, 11:30a, C56
Aug. 20 — Exec. Council
meeting, 11:30a, C56
Sept. 12-16—National
AFA Conference, National
Harbor, Md.
2
President’s Message
2015 Chapter
Council
President - Adriana Van Wyk
623-856-6543
[email protected]
Vice Pres. - Eric Jameson
623-217-0462
Treasurer - Adria Baker
623-856-7779
Secretary - Claudia Daniels
Chapter leadership changes again
Luke Chapter members:
Once again, the Executive Council has changed. Matt
Pulsipher’s overseas assignment gives me a chance to
experience an important position, and I welcome the
challenge.
In the past year, I have served as chapter secretary, then
vice president. With the help of some great council members,
I hope we can meet your expectations.
Chapter President
Let me introduce your new council. As you may know, I am
an airman 1st class, assigned at Luke as a nondestructive inspection technician with
the 56th Equipment Maintenance Sq. A native of Sioux Falls, S.D., I live on base with
my significant other and our three pets.
623-856-6543
VP/Aerospace Education &
VP/Membership Harry Bailey
623-846-7483H; 623-695-2886 (C)
VP/Communications/Editor &
VP/Community Partners Luisa Bailey
623-846-7483H; 623-695-2887 (C)
VP/Leadership Devel. - Vacant
Join the Frank Luke
Chapter discussions
through social media!
Air Force Association Luke
Chapter
LukeAFA
Eric Jameson
Vice President
I have appointed Eric Jameson as vice president. He is a career AF
officer who began 25 years of service as an air reserve technician,
earning the Air Force’s Outstanding Intelligence Intermediate-Level
Civilian of the Year Award in 1998. He was commissioned following
graduation from the University of Texas at Arlington, becoming an
intelligence officer for an F-16 fighter wing. He retired as a captain and
recently accepted a position as UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) product
manager for Stampede Global. He lives in Litchfield Park with wife
Crissie and daughter Chloe, 1 1/2. Eric also serves as VP/Aerospace
Education for Arizona State AFA.
Adria Baker continues as chapter treasurer. A master sergeant, recently reassigned
as a budget analyst with the 56th Comptroller Sq., she has been at Luke nearly four of
more than 18 years in service. The native of St.
Louis, Mo., lives in Goodyear with Terrance,
her husband of 22 years and a military retiree.
Our newest member (both on the council
and with AFA) is secretary Claudia Daniels, a
staff sergeant and also an NDI technician with
the 56th Equipment Squadron. The native of
Houston, Tex. is single and lives in Goodyear.
One of six children, and the only Air Force
member in her family, she has been at Luke
five years. She has been a member of the
praise dance ministry at Pilgrim’s Rest Church
in Phoenix for the past four years.
From left, President Adriana Van
Wyk, Secretary Claudia Daniels and
Treasurer Adria Baker.
We are all anxious to serve you. Please let us know the direction you want your
chapter to go. I hope to meet you all at our next function, the chapter dinner on
Saturday, July 11. Regardless, feel free to contact me at any time. My info is at upper
left. See you soon!
Adriana Van Wyk
Air Force Association Frank
Luke Chapter
Adriana Van Wyk
Chapter News
3
4
Chapter News
Players enjoy 16th annual benefit golf tournament
HEADING OUT! More than 60 players assemble for the scramble start at 7:30 a.m. Fri., May 1, at Falcon Dunes Golf Course.
Although two retirement ceremonies on base caused a conflict, military players turned out in respectable numbers and enjoyed outstanding weather conditions for the annual fundraiser. (Photo by Doris Goetz)
Some 63 golfers turned out on a beautiful Friday morning for a
great cause — raising money for the chapter’s use year-round in
support of Team Luke. An added feature this year: donating to the
Air Force Association’s Wounded Airman Program.
Limited space does not allow for names of winners, but top
prize was a pair of Cleveland Wedges, donated by Yates
Buick/GMC in Goodyear, for closest to the pin on Hole 2. Team
prizes included $300 cash for the team in first place, $200 for 5th
place, and $160 for 6th place. The team in last place took home
baseball caps from the Arizona Golf Association.
Bobby Freeman, Arizona Diamondbacks organist, donated four
prime seats to an upcoming home game, and proceeded to auction them off, earning the chapter a $125 donation.
VOLUNTEERS at the registration table included
(from right) Chapter President Adriana Van Wyk,
Doris Goetz, Sharon Marvin, A1C Anthony Sellers
and SSgt. Dominic Dizes. Not shown were Chapter
Treasurer Adria Baker, Event Coordinator Harry Bailey, and member Fred Seifritz.
Other donations included an autographed football from the
Arizona Cardinals, hockey puck from the Arizona Coyotes, a 1night stay for 2 at the Wigwam, a gift basket from Credit Union
West, another from the Glendale Visitors Bureau, range balls from
Valley Golf Center, McDonald’s meals and drinks from Mellon
Management Co., and meal certificates from Fleming’s, Hooters,
Carvers, Dillon’s, Kiss The Cook, and Old Pueblo Café.
T-holes were sponsored by Microsemi Corp., Peoria Mayor
Cathy Carlat, Prime Solutions Group, and Dr. Chris Jaron. Kevin
Moore of Moore Graphics donated tee-hole signs and brought a
team of players, including Diamondbacks’ Freeman.
Credit Union West sponsored a team of four airmen, and foursomes and twosomes were donated by Pebble Creek, Sundance,
Tres Rios, Verrado and Falcon Dunes Golf Courses.
DOES THIS LOOK LIKE ARIZONA?
In addition, invaluable help came from two airmen assigned to the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron,
David Ridenour and Larry Maslyn couldn’t play but made dona- SSgt. Dominic Dizes and A1C Anthony Sellers.
Thanks to all the community support for making this
tions.
annual event a success once again.
We appreciate the work of chapter volunteers Harry Bailey,
Pencil in Friday, May 6, 2016 for the 17th Annual AFA
Adriana Van Wyk, Adria Baker, Doris Goetz, Sharon Marvin, and
Benefit
Golf Tournament!
Fred Seifritz.
Chapter News
5
Chapter teachers of the year receive cash awards
Two of five nominees for Frank Luke Chapter Teacher of the Year were selected for 2015 and received their awards May 29 at ceremonies with their peers.
Jeff Herold, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teacher for
grades 7-8 at Hillcrest Middle School, Glendale, won the K-8 category, over Amy
Gunnels of Parkridge Elementary School in Peoria and Vicky Campbell of Heritage Elementary School in Glendale. Herold was selected to represent the Frank
Luke Chapter in competition with nominees from other Arizona chapters and went
on to win the Arizona AFA Teacher of the Year award. He will now be nominated
for national AFA Teacher of the Year.
Arnie Edwards, who has taught engineering for more than four years at
Camelback HS in Phoenix, won the 9-12 category over Sheri Lunski, a nursing
teacher at Sunrise Mountain HS in Peoria. Among his future projects is soliciting
a used motorcycle for his students to dismantle and rebuild.
Harry Bailey, left, VP/Aerospace Education, presents Jeff Herold his award.
AFA sponsors Teacher of the Year competitions at chapter, state and national
levels to reward teachers, K-12, for achievements in exciting students at all levels
about STEM subjects. Chapter winners each receive $250 cash awards, certificates, and notebooks showing their title. As State winner, Herold will receive
$500. He was honored at the AFA Southwest Region conference June 6.
Last year’s national AFA Teacher of the Year, Kaci Heins of Flagstaff, is helping Herold prepare his nomination. Her 2014 prize was $3,000 cash and an allexpenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., to receive her award at the National
Convention. First– and second-place runners-up received $2,000 and $1,000,
respectively.
Harry Bailey, left, poses with the 9-12
winner, Arnie Edwards
Volunteers present AFA medal at area high schools
Chapter members responded to the call for volunteers
to present the AFA medal at annual AFJROTC award ceremonies held by 18 area high schools.
Two AFA members signed up to attend three events
each — CAP Maj. Ron Marks of Phoenix and life member
Bill Graham.of Tempe.
Graham attended Basha, Chandler and Hamilton HS
events. Marks made Dobson and Higley HS but was
called out of town and couldn’t attend the Campo Verde
HS event. The medal was presented by the unit commander.
Doris Goetz volunteered, but illness prevented her
attendance at Buckeye HS.
We thank all volunteers, including the following, for
taking the time to represent the chapter at these annual
ceremonies:
Adriana Van Wyk, Cactus and Sunnyslope HS; Joe
Marvin, Agua Fria HS; Sam Young, Deer Valley HS;
Greg Delany and his sister, AFA member Jeanine Rogers, Desert Ridge HS; and Harry Bailey, Peoria HS
CAP Maj. Ron Marks, left, presents Dobson HS Cadet
Maj. Matthew Kauher his AFA medal and certificate.
Special volunteers included Lt Col Jose Jimenez,
commander of AFROTC Det 025 at ASU, who attended
the ceremony at Mesa HS, and two ASU staff members —
2nd Lt Vanessa DelAngel and TSgt Vanessa Franseen,
who together attended Westwood HS and individually
went to Shadow Mountain and Sandra Day O’Connor HS.
6
Advertisers
Community Partners
7
Please patronize the following area businesses/organizations, our valued Chapter
Community Partners, who proudly display a plaque as evidence of their support of AFA’s
goals and mission. Take time to stop by and thank them for their support of AFA, Team
Luke, and other military units in our chapter’s area of responsibility.
AEROSPACE & DEFENSE
MICROSEMI CORP. — Charlie Leader, Pres/CEO
3601 E. University Dr., Phoenix 85034, 602-437-1520
PRIME SOLUTIONS GROUP (Aerospace Consulting)
Joseph W. Marvin, Pres/CEO
AUTO SERVICES
SANDS CHEVROLET - Jerry Moore, VP
5148 NW Grand Ave., Glendale 85301- 623-931-9331
WILHELM AUTOMOTIVE - Chris Garman, Gen Mgr
8241 Grand Ave., Peoria 85345, 623-979-3740
BANKING
CREDIT UNION WEST - Robert MacGregor, Pres/CEO
P.O. Box 7600, Glendale 85312, 602-631-3200
Includes following branches:
Arrowhead, Avondale, Cactus, Cottonwood, Heritage, Luke
AFB, N. Mountain, Prescott, Prescott Valley, Sun City West and
Surprise
CIVIC/GOVERNMENT
CITY OF AVONDALE - Mayor Kenn Weise
11465 W. Civic Center Dr #280, Avdl 85323, 623-333-1900
CITY OF GOODYEAR - Mayor Georgia Lord
190 N. Litchfield Road, Goodyear 85338, 623-932-3910
CITY OF LITCHFIELD PARK - Mayor Thomas L. Schoaf
214 W. Wigwam Blvd, LP 85340, 623-935-5033
CITY OF PEORIA - Mayor Cathy Carlat
8401 W. Monroe, Peoria 85345, 623-773-7306
CITY OF SURPRISE - Mayor Sharon Wolcott
16000 N. Civic Ctr Plaza, Surprise 85374, 623-222-1300
TOWN OF YOUNGTOWN - Mayor Michael LeVault
12030 Clubhouse Square, Youngtown 85363, 623-933-8286
GRAPHICS
MOORE GRAPHICS - Kevin Moore, Owner
11200 W. Michigan Ave #1, Youngtown 85363, 623-972-8161
HEALTH CARE
DR. CHRIS JARON, O.D. - Optometrist
12725 W. Indian School Rd, Avondale AZ 85392, 623-512-4052
DR. VICTOR KISSIL, D.O. FACOG - Deer Valley OB-Gyn
28033 N. 19th Ave., Ste 100, Phoenix 85027, 623-879-8161
SUN HEALTH — Ronald D. Guziak, CEO
14719 W. Grand Ave., Surprise 85374, 623-832-5352
LA LOMA VILLAGE — Susan Davis, Exec Dir
14154 Denny Blvd, Ltchfld Park 85340, 623-537-7521
HOTELS
WIGWAM RESORT & SPA
George McGann, VP/Mng Dir
Wendy Nuckols, Corp & Leisure Sales Mgr
300 E. Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park 85340, 623-856-1043
INSURANCE
GEICO - John Nix, Local Rep
9515 W. Camelback Rd #134, Phoenix 85037, 623-931-0766
MUSEUM
ARIZONA WING, COMMEMORATIVE AIR FORCE
Richard Exler, Tour Coordinator
2017 N. Greenfield Rd, Mesa 85215, 480-924-1940 X116
NEWSPAPERS
USA TODAY - Kelly Creamer, Sales Op Proj Mgr
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
MATRIX DESIGN GP - Celeste Werner, VP & Dir of Planning
2224 W. Northern Ave, Ste D240, Phx 85051, 602-288-8344
SONORAN TECHNOLOGY - Paul A. Smiley, President/CEO
15655 W. Roosevelt, Ste 141, Goodyear 85338, 623-932-7926
REAL ESTATE
WIN HOME INSPECTION - Bill Gray, Owner
1334 E. Chandler Blvd., A32, Phoenix 85046, 480-966-2227
RESTAURANTS
KISS THE COOK - Roger Hagadorn, Owner
4915 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale 85301, 623-939-4663
U. S. LEGISLATORS’ LOCAL OFFICES
U.S. SEN. JEFF FLAKE - Sandy Ledy, 602-840-1891
2200 E. Camelback #120, Phoenix 85016
U.S. SEN. JOHN MCCAIN - Tom McCanna, 602-952-2410
2201 E. Camelback #115, Phoenix 85016
U.S. REP. TRENT FRANKS - Dan Hay, 623-776-7911
7121 W. Bell Rd, #200, Glendale 85308
U.S. REP. RUBEN GALLEGO—Aaron Marquez, 602-256-0551
411 N. Central Ave #150, Phoenix 85004
U.S. REP. MATT SALMON - Lee Huff, 480-699-8239
207 N. Gilbert Rd., #209, Gilbert 85234
10603 N. Hayden Rd. #108, Scottsdale 85260
U.S. REP. KYRSTEN SINEMA - Michelle Davidson,
602-956-2285, 2944 N. 44th St. #150, Phoenix 85018
Frank Luke Chapter
Air Force Association
c/o 5126 W. Las Palmaritas Dr.
Glendale, AZ 85302
8
BULK RATE
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LITCHFIELD PARK
AZ 85340
PERMIT NO. 10
Chapter News
Enter contest to rename chapter’s quarterly newsletter
A new era requires a new name for our chapter’s quarterly newsletter.
First published in June 1995, the newsletter, with Luisa Bailey as editor, was
named by then-chapter president Nena Wiley, who explained that “Viper” was
the fighter pilots’ common name for the F-16 Fighting Falcon, flown by the 56th
Fighter Wing since the wing changed its mission 25 years ago and the F-16 became the sole aircraft flown for 19 years.
The wing held a change-of-mission ceremony May 21, formally including the
F-35 Lightning II as part of its mission statement.
The first F-35 arrived at Luke March 10, 2014, and the 29th aircraft landed
last month, more than a year later. By 2024, the wing expects to have six fighter
squadrons and 144 F-35s.
Luke’s 29th F-35 Lightning II lands
May 12, 2015 — out of 144 that are
scheduled to arrive by 2024. (Photo by
Amn Pedro Mota)
Readers and their friends are encouraged to submit suggestions for the newsletter’s new name. There is no limit to the number
of entries submitted by any one person. Entries should be submitted no later than Aug. 15, 2015, by mail, email or phone to:
Luisa Bailey, 5126 W. Las Palmaritas Dr., Glendale, AZ 85302, or [email protected], or 623-846-7483.
Submissions must include the contestant’s name, address, and telephone number.
A panel of council members will meet at that month’s chapter meeting on Aug. 20, 2015, and will select the most creative and
appealing name, to be used shortly thereafter.
The winner will receive a free 1-year membership to AFA — either new or renewal — and will be recognized in the newsletter.