The Frank Luke Chapter (#151) has been a proud member of the Air Force Association for more than 25 years. It was chartered in December 1980.

More than 150,000 people worldwide on active duty, retirees and civilians belong to AFA, a national non-profit professional military organization with the mission:

^To educate the public about the critical role of aersospace power in defense of our nation

^To advocate aerspace power and a strong national defense; and

^To support the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force family

The Frank Luke Chapter is one of four in Arizona and eight in the Southwest Region of the Air Force Association, which covers Nevada and New Mexico as well as Arizona.

Approximately 5,000 AFA members live in Arizona and generally are affiliated with chapters in Tucson, Sierra Vista, Prescott-Goldwater (Sedona), and the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.

On Oct. 1, 2004, the Phoenix Sky Harbor Chapter, which served members on the east side of the Phoenix area, closed down because of lack of leadership availability. The Frank Luke Chapter absorbed those members and now is about 2,200 strong.

WHAT WE DO

Our membership network, which includes chapter Community Partners, supports Air Force needs and Air Force people by:

^Providing financial support for and sponsorship of the annual Luke AFB Awards Banquet, Quarterly Base Awards Luncheons, Education Center graduation ceremonies and other military events such as twice-monthly completion ceremonies at the First-Term Airman Center (FTAC), the Airman Leadership School (ALS) and the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Enhancement Course (NCO PEC).

^Donating refurbished computers to any deserving Luke families, especially those with a deployed family member.

^Supporting people programs such as outings for families of deployed service members and periodically recognizing deserving work centers with "pizza parties."

^Sharing sponsorship of the USA Today newspaper’s “Visions in Exploration” aerospace education program for AFJROTC units in any of the 18 area high schools interested in this program.

^Working toward preserving Luke Air Force Base in concert with groups such as Fighter Country Partnership.

^Supporting other military units in the area, including the Air National Guard in Phoenix and Sky Harbor Airport and AFROTC at Arizona State University.

HOW WE DO IT

Our pimary means of raising funds to conduct these activities since 2000 has been an annual benefit golf tournament including military and community golfers. Community sponsors are recognized with signs at T-holes acknowledging their contributions. Along with sponsorships, organizations and individuals donate items and services that are auctioned off at the end of the golf tournament. The 9th annual tournament is scheduled on the morning of Friday, May 9, 2008. For information, contact Harry Bailey at 623-846-7483.

We appreciate the support of two long-time Chapter Community Partners, GEICO Insurance and Credit Union West, who subsidize the publication and mailing of the chapter's quarterly newsletter. This support, along with advertising from other Community Partners such as the La Loma Care Center in Litchfield Park and Grandview Terrace Care Center in Sun City West, allows us to devote more funds to supporting Team Luke. We welcome other such support, as space permits.