Posted on January 28, 2010 by Fighter Country
by David Madrid – Jan. 28, 2010 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic A dispute between the state and Maricopa County over residential construction near Luke Air Force Base may soon be over if a negotiated agreement makes it to the county Board of Supervisors. It would be good news for Luke proponents, who are working to bring the F-35 Lightning II to the base, which they believe is the logical place to put an aircraft that replaces Luke’s aging F-16 jet fighters. Luke pumps $2.1 billion a year into the state’s economy. The agreement would be signed by Gov. Jan…
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Fighter Country
Much has been written about the city of El Mirage since city leaders traveled to Washington D.C. in March to petition the federal government for $400 million, claiming economic harm due to its proximity to Luke Air Force Base. Officials from other West Valley cities were surprised after learning about El Mirage’s monetary request to the federal government since communities around the base have historically worked closely together for decades to protect and preserve the training mission of Luke. The region has enjoyed a positive relationship with the Air Force’s largest F-16 training base since the facility opened as Luke…
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Fighter Country
Over the past two decades, the city of Goodyear has taken bold steps to ensure development around Luke Air Force Base’s Southern Departure Corridor remains compatible with Luke’s mission.
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Fighter Country
Statewide support is rapidly building for Luke Air Force Base and the new F-35 training mission since Gov. Jan Brewer and West Valley mayors launched the Luke Forward campaign.
Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
Jeff Dempsey DAILY NEWS-SUN The war of words continued between Luke Air Force Base supporters and the city of El Mirage Wednesday, this time at the Sun City Home Owners Association annual meeting at Fairway Recreation Center. Though District 9 Rep. Debbie Lesko also was a guest speaker, the star of the show was Steve Yamamori. Yamamori, executive director and CEO of Fighter Country Partnership, extolled the virtues of the F-35 mission while also leveling criticism at El Mirage officials, who remain skeptical about the noise levels the new jets could bring. “I met with them right at the beginning,…
Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Glendale Star January 21, 2010 By Carolyn Dryer Certainty and resolve stood out at the annual meeting of Fighter Country Partnership Saturday night; however, a word of caution came from U.S. Sen. John McCain. The senior senator from Arizona removed any arrogant attitude about Luke as the bed-down base for the F-35. He said encroachment is at the top of the list when it comes to evaluating for final placement of the military’s newest jet fighter. Encroachment will play a major role as part of the environmental impact study, which is set to commence next month. “We’ve got work…
Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fighter Country
F-16 makes hard landing at Wickenburg Municipal Airport From The Arizona Republic by Tessa Muggeridge – Oct. 22, 2009 12:44 PM Engine problems prompted a military F-16 jet to make an emergency landing at the Wickenburg Municipal Airport Thursday morning, officials said. The two-pilot crew on board was not injured in the hard landing, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. The F-16D Fighting Falcon landed just short of the airport’s runway around 10:30 a.m. because it lost engine power, Luke Air Force Base spokesman Justin Oakes said. The jet was not scheduled to land at Wickenburg,…
