Veterans in Blue - Master Sgt. John Lukens

Photo By Staff Sgt. James Crow | Ret. Master Sgt. John Lukens began his Air Force career in 1963, entering as a life support systems technician, Lukens served three tours in Vietnam and retired in 1990. He is now an active member in his community helping where he can. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class James R. Crow)  

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, UNITED STATES

11.03.2016

Courtesy Story

3d Audiovisual Squadron

In 1964, Lukens deployed to Vietnam for the first time as one of the first airmen on the ground. This was the first of three tours that Lukens accomplished in Vietnam. After retiring from the Air Force in 1990, Lukens spent 10 years working with the Red Cross on Moody Air Force Base, Ga., before the program was transitioned off of the base. While at the Red Cross Lukens had the opportunity to work with Vietnam veterans and was able to help them with the struggles they faced coping with post-traumatic stress disorder. During his Air Force career Lukens served at Cannon AFB, N.M.; Myrtle Beach AFB, S.C.; Duluth AFB, Minn.; Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio; Macdill AFB, Fla.; Peterson AFB, Colo.; and Athens, Greece. He worked on the life support systems of the F-100 Super Sabre, F-102 Delta Dagger, F-104 Starfighter, A-7D Corsair II and the A-10 Thunderbolt II. Today, Lukens enjoys woodworking projects, going to the gym and helping where he can in the community. For the past 29 years, he has also portrayed Santa Claus during the holidays for Moody AFB.

• Date Taken: 11.03.2016
• Date Posted: 11.04.2016 10:50
• Story ID: 213722
• Location: MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, GEORGIA, US