Posted on April 4, 2012 by Fighter Country
The Wigwam Resort is a big place, and it was just right for the first of four open houses being held in Arizona by the U.S. Air Force for comments on its environmental impact study of the F-35A training basing at Luke Air Force Base. Luke is the USAF’s preferred alternative to base the pilot training center with 72 F-35A aircraft. However, as stated throughout the open house, no decisions regarding the proposal will be made until after the environmental impact analysis process is complete. There are other military installations under consideration for the training basing: Holloman Air Force Base…
Posted on March 28, 2012 by Fighter Country
A resolution sponsored by Representative Debbie Lesko (R – Dist. 9), received unanimous approval in the Arizona House and Senate. The Resolution was drafted to express the full support of the Legislature for the implementation of the F-35 Lightning II training mission at Luke Air force Base and the Barry M. Goldwater Gunnery Range. Key language of the resolution states: The F-35 Lightning II is critical to the future defense of the United States, and Luke Air Force Base, with its superb flying weather and outstanding facilities and infrastructure, is the right choice to train Air Force pilots in this…
Posted on February 11, 2012 by Fighter Country
Help Luke retain its seven-decade tradition of training the world’s greatest fighter pilots. The next 6-months are critical for Luke’s future as the United States Air Force evaluates the base as one of the key training sites for the F-35 Lightning II, a next-generation fighter aircraft that will replace F-16.
Please help by clicking here to send an electronic postcard to the U.S. Air Force affirming that Luke AFB is the right location for the F-35 mission.
Posted on January 30, 2012 by Fighter Country
Please consider attending one of the four public hearings to voice your support for the F-35 mission coming to Luke AFB. All hearings include an open house session from 5 to 6 pm, followed by a presentation and formal public comment session from 6 to 8 pm. Make sure and review the DEIS report available here before you attend.
F-35A EIS Public Hearings Schedule:
5-6 pm Open House / Information Session
6-8 pm Presentation / Formal Comment Session
| CITY | ADDRESS | DATES AND TIMES |
| Litchfield Park | Wigwam Resort, 300 Wigwam Blvd., Litchfield Park, AZ 85340 | 5-8 p.m., Mon,, Feb. 13 |
| El Mirage | El Mirage Elementary School, Gymnasium 13500 N El Mirage Rd., El Mirage, AZ 85335 | 5-8 p.m., Tues., Feb. 14 |
| Surprise | Sundial Recreation Center, Auditorium, 14800 N 104rd Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351 | 5-8 p.m., Wed., Feb. 15 |
| Gila Bend | Gila Bend Unified School District, Cafeteria, 308 N. Martin Ave. | 5-8 p.m., Thur., Feb. 16 |
Posted on January 20, 2012 by Fighter Country
The long awaited draft EIS was announced today which sets in motion the process for determining the likelihood of stationing up to 6 squadrons of F-35′s at Luke AFB. The F-35A is the Air Force’s variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which will replace the F-16 Falcon, F-15 Eagle and the A-10 Thunderbolt as the military’s new multi-role fighter…
Key Dates to Remember:
- January 20, 2012 - Public release of the F-35A Training Draft EIS
- January 20, 2012 – March 14, 2012 - Public hearings for Luke AFB, Arizona
- February 13-16, 2012 - Public comment period for F-35A Training Draft EIS closes
- Summer 2012 - Release of Final F-35A Training EIS
- Summer 2012 - Issuance of USAF F-35A Training EIS Record of Decision
Posted on November 17, 2011 by Fighter Country
Gov. Jan Brewer will head to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday for a day of meetings on Capitol Hill and a speech to a GOP women’s group. Brewer will meet on Wednesday with members of Arizona’s congressional delegation, followed by a meeting with U.S. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley. Gubernatorial spokesman Matthew Benson said Brewer and Donley will discuss Luke Air Force Base’s bid to be the home of the F-35 joint strike fighter. After the meeting with Donley, Brewer will meet again with members of the delegation, and possibly with other members of Congress as well, Benson said. On Thursday,…
Posted on October 31, 2011 by Fighter Country
F-35 Mission Update: The United States Air Force issued the following revised schedule for the release of F-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As indicated in the news release, the draft EIS has been deferred to December 2011/January 2012. The public comment period will follow the release of the draft EIS by 30-45 days. It is expected that the Record of Decision will likely come in Summer 2012. Thank you for your continued support of the F-35 Mission and Luke AFB.
Posted on October 18, 2011 by Fighter Country
The first Air Force F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter arrived at Eglin Air Force Base July 14, marking a major milestone in our nation’s military history. “It’s an exciting day here at the wing, where our joint and integrated team has been preparing for this day since October 2009,” Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter wing commander. “I have no doubt the caliber of the Airmen, Sailors, Marines and contractors will provide safe and effective training operations at Eglin. Now we look forward to the start of classes later this year.” The military’s first F-35 pilots ferried the joint strike…
Posted on October 18, 2011 by Fighter Country
In a July 20, 2011 letter to West Valley Partners, U.S. Sen. John McCain pledges his continued support for the F-35 and Luke AFB as a major training base for the newest fighter jet in the country’s defense arsenal. In a Sept. 8, 2011 letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley, McCain sets forth his concerns about transfers of F-16 squadrons from Luke to Holloman AFB, N.M., given that F-16 pilots will possibly face scheduling conflicts with Army and joint forces when it comes to use of the White Sands Missile Range at Holloman. McCain, in his letter…
Posted on May 20, 2011 by Fighter Country
Luke Forward | May 19, 2011 – The United States Air Force announced this week that the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the F-35 active duty training mission at Luke AFB has been delayed until the fall. While this is not welcome news, Luke AFB remains well positioned to achieve our desired objective of securing the F-35 mission.
