News

Oct. 2, 2024
Forging Resilience: Chaplain Leaders Highlight Unity at Luke AFB

The 944th Fighter Wing welcomed Air Force Reserve Chaplain leadership Sept. 17, 2024, with Chaplain Col. James F. Danford, AFRC Command Chaplain, and Chief Master Sgt. Brandy Hales, AFRC Religious Affairs Senior Enlisted Leader, visiting Luke Air Force Base to engage with chapel staff, assess needs,
Sept. 10, 2024
Running to Remember: 944th FW Unites to Honor 9/11 Heroes in Annual Remembrance 5K

Before the sun had even risen, more than 100 Reserve Citizen Airmen of the 944th Fighter Wing gathered in the cool, pre-dawn hours at Luke Air Force Base on Sept. 8, 2024, for a solemn 5K run, walk, or ruck march.The event, held in honor of those who perished during the attacks of September 11,
Sept. 4, 2024
Holloman’s Finest: The Dual Duty of a 944th FW Reserve Citizen Airman

In the heart of the Lincoln National Forest near the small mountain village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, a devastating wildfire threatened thousands of lives this past June. Amidst the chaos, Reserve Citizen Airman Tech. Sgt. Orlando Rodriguez stepped into the breach not just as a reservist but as a
Aug. 13, 2024
Soaring Beyond Limits: 944th FW Fighter Pilot Crosses 1,000 Hour Milestone in F-35

On an otherwise routine day on Aug. 9, 2024, Reserve Citizen Airman Lt. Col. Christopher "Lube" Lowe crossed a significant milestone that only a handful of aviators in the 944th Fighter Wing have achieved—1,000 hours of flight time in the F-35 Lightning II. This accomplishment, while marked with a
Aug. 2, 2022
Lt. Gen. Richard Scobee thanks Reserve Citizen Airmen

A multimedia piece designed for social media featuring comments from Lt. Gen. Richard W. Scobee's final interview as Air Force Reserve commander. In the video, Scobee expresses his belief that the people of the Air Force Reserve are responsible for his success and thanks them.
Oct. 4, 2021
944 LRS looks to transition to the next level with new commander

The 944th Logistics Readiness Squadron held a change of command ceremony at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, October 2, 2021. Reserve Citizen Airman Lt. Col. Ronald J. ‘Smokin’ Sloma, 944th LRS outgoing commander, relinquished command to Reserve Citizen Airman Lt. Col. Jalen A. ‘Rex’ Whitener,
Sept. 13, 2021
FIGHTER PILOT REACHES HISTORIC MILESTONE: 7000 HOURS IN THE A-10C

Lt. Col. John “Karl” Marks, an Air Force Reserve pilot assigned to the 442d Fighter Wing made history Sept. 1, 2021, as he became the only pilot to reach 7,000 hours in the A-10C Thunderbolt II; in addition to becoming one of the highest-time fighter pilots in the U.S. Air Force.
Nov. 17, 2020
Luke Reserve Citizen Airmen hold first load crew competition

Two teams, one assigned to the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the other to the F-35 Lightning II, competed for 944th Load Crew of the Year bragging rights during the event.
June 14, 2019
Running with faith: an Airman’s journey to redemption

Standing there with a knife in hand and cold-hearted from the most devastating news of his life, Master Sgt. Brandan “Troy” Keel contemplated an irreversible decision. Looking into his wife’s eyes after learning she was pregnant with another man’s baby, he couldn’t fathom living anymore. Suicide, he
May 14, 2019
Reserve Citizen Airman takes out-of-this-world oath

The Air Force Reserve’s newest flight surgeon was sworn into service by an astronaut flying at 17,500 miles per hour aboard the International Space Station 210 miles above the Earth on May 4.