D. Baxter Bobcat prowls Luke Published May 7, 2010 By Senior Airman C.J. Hatch 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- It's not every day a bobcat is loose on Luke AFB, but that was the case April 27 when the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot D. Baxter Bobcat came for a tour and video shoot for an upcoming Diamondbacks game. Baxter reported at 6:30 a.m. to work out with the 56th Civil Engineer Squadron, and the workout consisted of push-ups, sit-ups, jump rope and more in the combat fitness center. After a 30-minute workout that incorporated a formation run, Baxter "showered" and readied himself for an encounter with the military working dogs. Baxter and his crew met the 56th Security Forces Squadron MWDs at the softball fields to watch them go through their paces. "It's not too often a dog and Baxter are on the same side, but those two worked great together to take down the bad guy," said one of Baxter's crew members. The 56th Operations Support Squadron put Baxter in a flight suit, and at the 61st Fighter Squadron he learned what a pilot does on a typical day. Baxter took a trip to the flightline where he was videotaped inspecting an F-16 Fighting Falcon. He sat in the cockpit as a pilot explained its workings. Baxter then donned the battle dress uniform and learned the job of a crew chief, which included final checks before an F-16 takeoff. At the end-of-runway, Baxter watched as crew chiefs launched F-16s and they also showed him how to marshal an aircraft. In the air traffic control tower, Baxter observed how Airmen safely launched four F-16s and landed a KC-135 Stratotanker. After leaving the tower, Baxter headed to the Ray V. Hensman Dining Facility, where he slipped on a chef's hat and apron and served lunch to Luke AFB Airmen. He also greeted Airmen at the door and visited tables to make sure he met everyone. Baxter's visit to Luke AFB will play on the jumbotron during the July 4 Military Appreciation Day game at Chase field when the Diamondbacks take on the L.A. Dodgers.