Brigadier General Jason M. Rueschhoff is Commander of the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, near Glendale.
In July of 2022, after serving previously as Deputy Commander, 7th Air Force, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, he became Commander, 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, in the West Valley.
The wing’s mission is to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen. As part of air education and training command, and home to 26 squadrons with both F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35A Lightning II aircraft, the 56th FW is the largest fighter wing in the Air Force and graduates more than 105 F-35 pilots, 188 F-16 pilots and 300 air control professionals annually.
Additionally, the 56th FW oversees the Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field and is steward of the Barry M. Goldwater Range, a military training range spanning more than 1 million acres of Sonoran desert.
Q: Earlier this year U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Albert Miller visited Luke to discuss pilot retention. What sort of incentives does Luke do to maintain quality of life and service for its aviators?
A: In my mind, the word “incentive” implies that there is a give/take relationship, that the action taken is to drive a reaction. I look at quality of life initiatives at Luke AFB as something we do because they are the right things to do, whether these actions keep Airmen in our Air Force. I obviously hope we can keep as many of our talented force for as long as possible, but whether an Airman is in for their minimum commitment or stays for 20 or 30 years, they have earned my respect, and hopefully that of the nation, for volunteering to serve and give their life for their country if called upon to do so. That calling of service is something that is rarely replicated in commercial industry and continues to be one of the main pulls aiding retention. Our Air Force Higher Headquarters continues to look at monetary incentives and assignment preferences for aviators and other key positions and we here at Luke whole-heartedly support those initiatives and any others that keep our fighter pilot force retained. In addition, however, at Luke our entire team looks for ways to improve quality of life for all — from working with companies to obtain a safe and secure rideshare program on base allowing our youngest members access to the greater West Valley, to facility and construction projects centered on families in our base housing, to giving back the most precious of our resources when able — time. Luke’s leadership teams at all levels are continually assessing their day-to-day operations and weeding out unnecessary actions/processes/etc to give time back to their folks and align with our Chief of Staff’s Action Order B (eradicate unnecessary bureaucracy). They then connect their teams to their critical role in our mission and relay the ‘why’ behind the continuation of those actions/processes/etc that we do continue executing. This connection and understanding of the ‘why’ is powerful, necessary, and the right thing to do for our folks and helps retain all ranks and positions.
Q: Can you and the world’s greatest fighter pilots watch a blockbuster movie like “Top Gun” for enjoyment, or can you not help but watch it critically because it hits so close to home?
A: Ha! I think there is always a bit of an ‘eye roll’ when anyone watches a movie or show that relates to their profession. In my opinion though, it was a great movie. It was very entertaining and enjoyable to watch. Just about any flying-related movie or show gets me amped up!
Q: What’s your favorite movie?
A: I feel like I should now say “Top Gun Maverick”! Truth is that “Braveheart” and “Gladiator” are both at the top of my list.
Q: What’s your favorite musician/band?
A: I am a huge music fan, so to pick one is impossible. I have been playing guitar since I was a kid, so I relate to bands with heavy guitar influences. Metallica was a favorite in my earlier years. I enjoy listening to 80s and 90s rock, but a few of my current favorites now are Alter Bridge, Breaking Benjamin, Red, and Tremonti.
Q: What originally brought you to the Valley?
A: I was fortunate enough to be selected as the 56th Fighter Wing Commander here at Luke Air Force Base. This was the job that I really wanted and I feel so blessed to have. My family and I absolutely love the West Valley. The communities surrounding Luke are simply fantastic! We were welcomed in immediately and have made some wonderful friends in a short amount of time.
Q: What’s your favorite sport and team?
A: Believe it or not, my favorite team isn’t from my favorite sport. I grew up playing competitive soccer year-round, so I’ve really been a soccer fan, or “futbol supporter,” my whole life. I love Manchester United and have followed them for several decades. But if I had only one team to support, it would absolutely be the Dallas Cowboys. There’s a good chance you just lost half of those folks who were reading this!
Q: What’s your favorite local restaurant, and what would you recommend off the menu?
A: Being in the military has afforded my family and me the opportunity to do quite a bit of traveling, and, thus, quite a bit of food tasting. We love the variety that resides across the West Valley and in Phoenix itself. From sushi to fusion to Mediterranean to American, we are lucky enough to have so many great places around. We do spend more than our fair share of time at Zeta’s Grill — absolutely delicious.
Q: What’s your favorite place in Arizona?
A: My family and I really enjoy Flagstaff and Sedona. Great hiking, scenery, food, and the cooler temps makes them appealing in the warmer months. They aren’t my favorite though and while this will sound a bit cheesy, it’s true: my favorite place in Arizona is my home with my wife and kids. This job is absolutely amazing, but it’s fairly busy, so when I get free time, I like to be at our house hanging out with my family.
Q: What’s your hometown?
A: Plano, Texas — just north of Dallas, where America’s NFL team resides.
Q: Family? (Spouse, children, etc.)
A: I am grateful to be joined here at Luke AFB by my beautiful wife Melissa, my daughter Ashlyn, and my son Cole. They keep me grounded and are daily reminders to me why we are prepared to fight for freedom and our way of life.
Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment
YourValley.net
sstockmar@iniusa.org
Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.
Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.
Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.
Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.
Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.
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