Luke Air Force Base recently hosted fitness & wellness students and faculty from Glendale Community College. The event showcased the expansive physical, physiological and psychological training program for pilots and ground crew at Luke Air Force Base. The students received an immersive look at exercise science through the lens of fighter pilot culture, air combat technology, and human performance optimization.
Another benefit of the hands-on facility tour was that students gained an understanding of the many unique and interesting career opportunities for individuals majoring in Exercise Science, Personal Training, and Health & Wellness Coaching. This includes being the Strength and Conditioning Coach at a United States Air Force base.
“We were extremely grateful for this incredible opportunity coordinated by the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the 56th Fighter Wing. The program staff, officers, and pilots did a phenomenal job illustrating how they prepare pilots for flight and combat in high G-force environments. It is inspiring for our students and faculty to see the real-world impact of what they are learning and to explore additional career pathways,” said Louise So, GCC Exercise Science Program Director.
Several highlights of the program included the F-35 Lightning II training simulator (Multi use Unclassified Simulator Cockpit - one of two in the world that exist) and touring the 56th Fighter Wing Titan Arena. The arena features areas for strength training, cardio, adaptive equipment and a simulation lab. The GCC students learned how fighter pilots receive conditioning, are taught breathing control, plus training on how to cope with G-forces and spinal stress. Of special interest to the fitness and wellness students were hands-on experiences highlighting cognitive performance psychology, strength and conditioning practices, and sports dietetics strategies used to support fighter pilots.
The GCC students participating in the event are working on their associate’s degree, plus a number of students are gaining their Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences - Fitness Wellness, through a program that Glendale Community College has with Northern Arizona University.