Fighter Country Foundation

09/26/2026

🎉 We’re out at Port of Subs in Surprise for their Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening! 🎉
Port of Subs is a proud supporter of Fighter Country Foundation, and we’d love for you to come out and join the celebration! 🇺🇸✈️
🎨 Face painting
🥪 Delicious food
❤️ Supporting a business that supports our Luke AFB community!
Stop by, say hello, grab some great food, and help us welcome Port of Subs to the community!
16640 Cactus Rd #112, Surprise, AZ 85388
Stronger Together! 🇺🇸

09/03/2026

Yesterday, more than 300 military members and their families from the 161st Air Refueling Wing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport joined us at Chase Field for the Arizona Diamondbacks–Philadelphia Phillies game.

The experience began with a special honor as the Diamondbacks invited Colonel Jeff Robertson to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Thanks to the combined generosity of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Fighter Country Foundation, every guest received a game ticket and a $25 food-and-beverage voucher—allowing these military members and families to relax, enjoy the game, and spend meaningful time together without an added expense.

And what a game they witnessed! An eighth-inning home run lifted the D-backs to an exciting 1–0 victory.

We sincerely thank the Arizona Diamondbacks for their consistent support of Fighter Country Foundation and the military community we collectively serve. Most importantly, we thank the Airmen and families of the 161st for their extraordinary service, sacrifice, and commitment to our country.

Watch Colonel Robertson throw out the first pitch:
https://vimeo.com/1223771288/a91fe4e5ab

08/21/2026

The enlisted corps is the backbone of our military. Within that corps is an incredibly important group of Airmen who serve as first sergeants—more commonly and affectionately known as “shirts.”

More than 20 first sergeants serve at Luke Air Force Base. Each is responsible for helping care for the Airmen and families within their squadron. They are there to celebrate successes, but more importantly, they are there during the challenges, hardships, emergencies, and difficult moments that military members and their families may face.

It is an incredibly important—and incredibly demanding—responsibility. First sergeants are proven leaders who typically serve in the role for at least three years. They understand their people, their squadrons, and where the greatest challenges exist.

At Fighter Country Foundation, we believe strongly in supporting those who spend every day supporting others.

Today wrapped up a three-day leadership off-site that we hosted for Luke’s first sergeants at Chicken N Pickle. The three days included strategic planning, leadership and program discussions, candid conversations about challenges within the squadrons, and opportunities to strengthen the relationships that help everyone serve our Airmen and families more effectively.

Today, the shirts also met with several resource providers, and I had the opportunity to sit down with them for a lengthy, open-ended conversation. Their knowledge and firsthand understanding are invaluable. Our strong relationship with Luke’s first sergeants is one of the primary reasons Fighter Country Foundation can successfully identify needs and provide meaningful support where it matters most.

We cannot thank our shirts enough for their leadership, commitment, and willingness to carry such an important responsibility.

Of course, we also found time for a few games of pickleball. These military members somehow seem to stay the same age while this old body keeps getting older. I held my own, had a lot of fun, and—most importantly—strengthened some already meaningful relationships.

Thank you to all of Luke’s first sergeants for everything you do for our Airmen, their families, and the mission.

07/30/2026

The new Honor Guard Facility at Luke Air Force Base is more than just a building—it's a lasting investment in the Airmen who proudly serve our nation.

Fighter Country Foundation is honored to have partnered with Luke Air Force Base and an incredible team of community leaders to help make this vision a reality. This project reflects what can happen when a community comes together to support those who protect our freedoms.

A heartfelt thank you to our major contributors who helped bring this facility to life:

✨ Avondale Toyota
✨ IDM Companies
✨ The Kemper & Ethel Marley Foundation
✨ The Diane & Bruce Halle Foundation
✨ Mortenson

And to the many other businesses, organizations, and individual donors who generously supported this project—thank you. Your commitment and partnership made this milestone possible.

Together, we're strengthening the mission at Luke Air Force Base and ensuring our Honor Guard has a facility worthy of the professionalism, dignity, and service they provide every day.

07/28/2026

07/16/2026

Please join Luke AFB, Arizona, on livestream as we transition the 56th Fighter Wing change of command from Brig. Gen. David Berkland to Col. Nicholas Ihde.

Additionally, the wing will reassign from the major command of Air Education and Training Command to Air Combat Command. The redesignation presiding officer will be the 15th Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Steven Behmer.

The ceremony is scheduled to begin Friday, July 17th at 8:56 a.m. We will livestream through this page. You can also get access using this link: https://fb.me/e/22plJKZ7uU

👩‍💻: Denise Lewis

07/14/2026

Community is at the heart of everything we do, and we're incredibly grateful for partners like Rudy's.

Their longtime support of the Fighter Country Foundation has made a lasting impact on the lives of the men, women, and children of our active-duty military community at Luke Air Force Base. From standing beside our Airmen to helping strengthen military families, Rudy's continues to demonstrate what it means to give back.

Their generosity, partnership, and unwavering commitment help us fulfill our mission every day, and we couldn't do it without supporters like them.

Thank you, Rudy's "Country Store" and Bar-B-Q , for believing in our mission and for continuing to serve those who serve us.

Please join us in thanking Rudy's for being an amazing community partner!

07/14/2026

Today marks another incredible Back-to-School Bash, where Fighter Country Foundation is proud to partner with Legacy Foundation, Fiesta Sports Foundation, and key volunteers from USAA to help prepare military kids for the school year.

Together, alongside the leadership of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, we are distributing 800 large tote bags filled with much more than school supplies. Each package includes a backpack, shoes, socks, underwear, shirts, sweaters, collared shirts, and other essentials.

And for the young ladies, Stitches from Love handmakes beautiful school outfits paired with hair bows and jewelry. It is always a fan favorite, and the smiles stretch from ear to ear.

Once families are done filling their bags with supplies, they receive tickets to walk across the street to the chapel, where hot dogs, Gatorade, water, chips, and a shaved ice truck are waiting for them to enjoy dinner before heading home.

Because of this partnership, 800 military families can skip the busy stores and focus on what matters most: family, school, and mission.

A heartfelt thank you to Legacy Foundation, Fiesta Sports Foundation, USAA, and the 56th Fighter Wing leadership for helping us create such an amazing day for the men, women, and families of Luke Air Force Base. And in just a couple of months, we’ll have the opportunity to do it again for the families of the 161st Air Refueling Wing.

07/13/2026

This past weekend, the Wigwam was filled with family, friends, laughter, tears, and countless stories as we celebrated the life of an incredible man—Mark Hutchins.

Speaker after speaker shared memories that all pointed to the same truth: Mark didn't just love life...he embraced it. He wasn't simply part of the community—he is community. His kindness, generosity, and genuine love for people left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Even as he faced significant health challenges, Mark's focus was never on himself. He looked forward to spending time with family and friends, and the arrival of his grandchild brought him a renewed joy and purpose that was evident to everyone around him.

Mark loved the Wigwam. In many ways, he was part of what made the Wigwam so special.

He also had a tremendous heart for Fighter Country Foundation and the men, women, and families of Luke Air Force Base. He was always willing to volunteer wherever he could. One of the events that always brought a smile to his face was our annual Back to School Bash. Year after year, Mark and his daughter could be found in the Arizona sun making cotton candy for hundreds of military children after they had filled their backpacks with school supplies and clothing. He never sought recognition—he simply wanted to make a child's day a little brighter.

Mark was also a proud member of Leadership West, where he cherished reconnecting with classmates, attending alumni events, and continuing to invest in the community he loved so deeply.

Mark lived with purpose. He loved his family. He loved his friends. He loved his community. And he loved serving others.

His legacy will continue through the countless lives he touched.

Enjoy that glass of Caymus and Rest in peace, my friend. You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

07/03/2026