b'as long as possible in the harsh Arizona environment. TheIn the middle of the park, the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron polyurethanecoatingwasapprovedforuseonhistoricbuilt a SPAD XIII out of copper tubing, so visitors can envision aircraft after a two-year test program proved that the aircraftthe aircraft flown by Lieutenant Luke, Sergeant McClannan thathadthepolyurethanepaintlookedremarkablybettersaid.than the ones without it, Sergeant McClannan said. "This area of the park is very special not only for the replica "Tenyearsago,theAirForcecontractedwithaprivateofLieutenantLuke\'saircraft,butalsofortwomurals,"he company to paint all of the aircraft in the park," he said. "Wesaid. The larger one in the center of the park has the names were given a five-year warranty, but the paint began to peelof Army Air Corps/Air Force Congressional Medal of Honor on some of the aircraft after only 18 months. Unfortunatelyrecipients. The smaller one is part of the SPAD XIII, which is the company that did the painting was out of business. Afterfor the Medal of Honor recipients that called Arizona their this experience, Luke decided to use fabrication flight. home. "I hope visitors will pause and reflect when they see "We have a paint barn, which meant we could do this taskthis part of the park."in house, and the paint job lasts from six to seven years onWhat\'s more, Sergeant McClannan is responsible for the average. It is an asset to have these facilities on base becauseF-84 that is on display at the Gila Bend Air Auxiliary Airfield. it enables us to maintain such a beautiful park. Other smallerThe F-84 is the main element of the Goldwater Monument basesdon\'thavetheinfrastructureandskilledpersonnellocatedattheceremonialsitethatcommemoratedthe available to maintain a park of Luke\'s size." redesignation of the Luke range to the Barry M. Goldwater Moreover, a recent staff assistance visit confirmed theseRange in 1987.findings. SergeantMcClannansaidthatwhenheseespeople "WerecentlyhadasitevisitfromtheAETCcommandvisiting the park it gives him a gratifying feeling.historian and staff curator, and their findings were that Luke"It is particularly nice to see people with their children and has the best air park in AETC," Sergeant McClannan said. grandchildrenenjoyingtheparkandlearningaboutLuke\'s Itisimportanttorememberthateachairplaneintheheritage," he said. "The air park is a team effort involving parkrepresentsawindowintime,accordingtoSergeantmany squadrons and sections on base. I feel proud to be part McClannan. of it.""Each aircraft is painted to depict its original appearance," he said. "We make every effort outside of certain preservationThereareseveralaircraftonbaseinanairpark stepstoavoidchangingthelookoftheaircraft.Luke\'ssetting. Included are a North American AT-6 Texan, F-84F heritageisatthispark,andwewantvisitorstoseetheThunderstreak, F-100C Super Sabre, F-104C Starfighter, aircraft as it was when it flew during its heyday." F-15B Eagle, F-4E Phantom II and a T-33A Shooting Star.However,visitorsshouldpayparticularattentiontotheTheAirParkisnotaccessibletothegeneralpublic. model in the center of the park, the SPAD XIII aircraft flownHowever, groups can arrange tours through the Luke AFB by the wing\'s namesake, 2nd Lt. Frank Luke. public affairs office.Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager visits the air park during a tour at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 13, 2018. Yeager visited various locations throughout the base where he was once stationed during his 33-year Air Force career. (U.S.Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jensen Stidham)THE Premier Fighter Wing O 56th Fighter wing Telephone Directory O LUKE AIRFORCE BASE 31'