June 30, 2025

Supporting Wings: How Aviation and Civil Engineering Merged into a Path of Community Service

By Colliers Engineering & Design

On the western edge of metropolitan Phoenix resides a powerhouse of global fighter pilot training – Luke Air Force Base. It’s where more than 6,000 personnel develop and train US and partner nations F-35 fighter pilots every day under the banner of the USAF 56th Fighter Wing (FW) and the 944^th FW. Luke isn’t just a base; it’s the world’s largest fighter training facility, a critical element of national and international security and an important component of the Arizona economy.

Among Luke’s distinguished operational units is the 56^th FW Airmen Honor Guard, sometimes referred to as Color Guard – a preeminent ceremonial unit honoring heritage and embodying personal and professional excellence. These meticulously trained airmen deliver precision performances across significant local and national events ranging from high-profile sporting competitions to motorsport events, and formal military honors ceremonies. Annually, the Luke AFB Honor Guard performs at over 1,000 official functions delivering premier ceremonial honors to inspire, honor and represent all Airmen and Guardians to the world.

Fighter Country Foundation

Two decades ago, Darrell Wilson, Regional Manager (Civil/Site) from the Phoenix office (pictured right), was inducted into the Honorary Commander program of the USAF – a unique initiative bridging community leaders with the 56^th FW. Through his work in the land development industry, Wilson, with no prior military background but a longtime commercial and airline transport pilot, was immediately bonded to the USAF and Luke Air Force Base. This cultivated a profound respect for service members and their families who frequently relocate across the nation and the world in support of their critical mission. This engagement culminated in his appointment as chairman of the Fighter County Foundation’s (FCF) board of directors in 2019 and he remains an active governing board member today.

The Fighter Country board is comprised of Arizona community leaders committed to supporting the men, women, families, and mission of Luke AFB (Fly-Fight-Win). FCF provides meaningful support to Luke Air Force Base’s personnel beyond standard military provisions. Its mission is straightforward—to enhance the quality of life for service members and their families through targeted capital projects and programs that create stronger community connections. By identifying and addressing opportunities in existing support systems, the Foundation works to ensure that those who serve are comprehensively supported, not just operationally, but personally and communally.

“Darrell’s dedication to Luke Air Force Base runs deep – he’s not just a supporter, he’s a champion for our mission and our airmen“, said Ron Sites, President & CEO for Fighter Country Foundation. “Through countless projects over the years, he and his team have consistently answered the call. Whether by lending his voice, time, and expertise, or by recruiting resources, Darrell’s passionate commitment to our community stands as a model of service.”

The Project

The current initiative (and largest FCF capital project to date) is particularly ambitious: constructing a state-of-the-art training facility dedicated to the USAF Honor Guard at Luke. This ground-up, 7,000 sq ft building may serve as a model facility for bases nationwide, setting new standards for Honor Guard training and operations. A capital project of about $3.4 million, the Honor Guard Facility will be built with the support of the Foundation and its community partners to provide modern, comprehensive facilities for Honor Guard Airmen training and development.

“The Honor Guard Facility has provided Colliers Engineering & Design the opportunity to provide our professional skills of civil engineering, land survey and administration, and apply them into a physical ground-up project that will have a lasting impact on a valued community asset: Luke AFB. I am grateful for the support of our leadership team for this community investment in Arizona,” said Wilson.

Colliers Engineering & Design has been central to the project organization for FCF and Luke AFB through coordination of various trade partners, including longtime friends and clients – IDM Companies and Deutsch Architecture Group. The firm’s civil design services were provided by Casey Whiteman (who leads our Site Development group), and Haley Conway (Assistant Project Manager). Conway has been intimately involved in all design and coordination work along with their talented CAD and design team members. The Land Survey services have come through Jason Moore, Dave Schlief, and Kevin Lyon. Both Civil and Survey groups have been instrumental in bringing the project to life. Deliverables include civil engineering design of paving, grading and utility plans, land survey, construction staking and project coordination. Construction began this spring.

Wilson’s involvement extends beyond participation. Through his industry relationships, he engaged longtime friend and client, Jeff Gordon, CEO of one of Arizona’s largest multifamily and industrial developers, IDM. Gordon became passionate about the cause, supporting the project with significant seed capital and offering his company’s resources as project manager of the construction in conjunction with their trade partners.

“It is wonderful to see the development industry commitments within our Fighter Country Foundation relationships, and the results of what we achieve together,” Wilson added.

About Darrell Wilson

Former Co-founder and Managing Principal of HILGARTWILSON, a long-established Phoenix-based firm that joined Colliers Engineering & Design in May 2023, Darrell manages the Arizona region for the firm.

Darrell brings experience in large-scale land development and mixed-use projects, leading multidisciplinary teams through all development phases while establishing longtime client relationships. His oversight spans critical project elements from initial feasibility and intricate planning to design concepts, entitlement, owner representation, and contract negotiations while working alongside dedicated civil/site development teams and other disciplines.

For inquiries about land development opportunities in Arizona, reach out to Darrell Wilson directly.

For more information regarding Luke AFB click below: