It’s not every day one meets a rock star while at work, but for many Luke members that was the reality Tuesday. Chester Bennington, lead singer of the rock band Linkin Park, toured Luke to learn about the Air Force mission and to personally thank servicemembers.
Accompanying Mr. Bennington were Talinda, his wife, and some friends. The first stop was to meet the 56th Security Forces Squadron Military Working Dogs and view a demonstration.
Here Mr. Bennington met Rex, Luke’s award-winning MWD. Rex and his trainer, Staff Sgt. Gabriel Bravo, 56th SFS K-9 handler, demonstrated their ability to take control of a suspect and transport them.
Mr. Bennington got into the action by donning a protective sleeve and allowing Rex to perform an attack maneuver which included Rex hang from his arm. Just to show there were no hard feelings, Mr. Bennington was able to pet Rex before continuing the tour to the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal Flight.
They also learned about the EOD mission in a deployed area of responsibility.
EOD members demonstrated the capabilities of the robots and Mrs. Bennington volunteered to don the 60-pound EOD-9 bomb suit. It gave her a taste of what EOD technicians experience while deployed.
“That thing is really heavy,” she said. “You wear that in the summer time? I have much more respect for what you do now.” They also climbed aboard one of Luke’s humvees. From EOD the group went to the air traffic control tower. In the tower the group was shown the six different tower control positions and was briefed on the purpose of each as they watched four F-16s launch. Before closing out the tour at the F-16 simulators, the group headed to the 61st Fighter Squadron for an up close look at an F-16, and visited the 56th Fighter Wing headquarters to meet with Brig. Gen. Tom Jones, 56th FW commander. Mr. Bennington expressed his gratitude for the tour, Luke and its mission and for Airmen here and deployed. “Thank you,” he said to Luke members. “You are the real heroes; keep on with all the good you do.”