Luke Unit Visits Italy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Louis Vega Jr.
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Members of the 944th Fighter Wing headed to Aviano Air Base, Italy, for their Annual Tour June 2.

A total of 49 personnel took part in the Annual Tour training, one of the annual requirements for all Reservists. The majority of participants were from the 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron, to include Vehicle Operations, Vehicle Maintenance, Traffic Management, Supply, Fuels, Plans, and Command Support Staff. Also participating in the trip was a 944th Medical Squadron member, and members from the 944th Fighter Wing Staff as well as a contingent from the 944th Security Forces Squadron.

"It is extremely beneficial to the host unit to utilize the manpower and experience the 944th has to offer," said Lt. Col. Kip Schlum, commander, 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "Unlike the Reserve, the vast majority of line-level Airmen are young Airmen who can learn a lot from our members who may have more experience in not only the career field but a wider view of the Air Force as a whole."

"This is really an excellent opportunity for our members to serve as ambassadors for the 944th Fighter Wing and the Air Force Reserve in general," continued Schlum.

While in Italy, the 944th LRS personnel were able to gain experience working with or on equipment not available at Luke Air Force Base. For instance, the 944th Vehicle Maintenance shop assisted in the repair of two large de-icing trucks, which of course you would never find at Luke AFB.

"Everything has been going very smoothly integrating Reservists into our operation," said Master Sgt. Derek Thomas, section chief, 31st Logistics Readiness Squadron Flight Service Center. "The 944th have been extremely helpful. This week is surge week; they could not have come at a better time."

The building of unit morale and cohesion is a major benefit to Annual Tours. With many of the 944th members seeing each other only one weekend a month, the cohesive bond that separates a military organization from some civilian counterparts is fostered during Annual Tours and deployments.

"It's important we keep in contact with the host units we've worked with," said Schlum.

"That way, if the squadron is tasked to return we have a level of rapport already built which makes any following Annual Tours that much easier to coordinate and we can hit the ground running once we arrive. This training translates into a cohesive unit, experienced in deploying to many different environments and being exceptionally mission effective when boots hit the ground whether supporting war, or peacetime missions."