Brig. Gen. JD Harris, Commander 56th Fighter Wing

At Luke Air Force Base, we’re proud to be part of the community in the West Valley. We recognize that the support of surrounding communities is vital to our success as we carry out our mission of training the world’s greatest F-16 pilots and maintainers.

We’ve had an outstanding year at Luke. This year, we graduated 372 pilots, 529 crew chiefs, and 68 intelligence specialists. We deployed 484 Airmen in support of U.S. operations overseas, while continuing to accomplish the mission at home.

We also earned a rating of “Excellent” on the Unit Compliance Inspection conducted by Air Education and Training Command. This is a major inspection conducted every two years which assesses our compliance with regulations. The results validated what I have seen over the past 14 months as the wing commander here and are a testament to the professionalism of our men and women at Luke.

As we carry out our mission, we strive to be good neighbors in the West Valley. Last year alone, Luke Airmen volunteered more than 100,000 hours in the local community.

We conducted dozens of flyovers in support of community events and had the privilege of our Airmen speaking to thousands of people at school and civic functions in the region.

We also make every effort to be good stewards of the environment and our resources.

Work continues on a 15 megawatt solar array, located on 106 acres of undeveloped land in the southwest corner of the base. When completed, the array is expected to provide up to 50 percent of the base’s normal electrical needs. According to EPA estimates, this will avoid 19,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. There is no out-of-pocket expense to the Air Force for construction of the actual array, and long-term electricity cost savings over the next 20 years are expected to exceed $15 million.

Also on the environmental front, the Maricopa County Air Quality Department has renewed a Title V air permit for Luke, reestablishing the framework for the base’s continued compliance with federal and local air regulations. We’re committed to doing our part to protect the environment, and we value the guidance of the county in that regard.

The Navy Operational Support Center, previously located in Phoenix, is relocating to Luke as well. The new 32,055 square foot building has its own 67 kilowatt solar array for providing renewable energy and is an exemplary model of sustainability. The building is on track to receive certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

By being located within the perimeter of Luke, the NOSC benefits from the base’s secured perimeter and abundance of parking, while redeveloping an older section of the base.

Once again, I am extremely grateful for the support of communities around the base. I think I speak for all the men and women at Luke when I say we’re honored to have the opportunity to live and work here. I’d like to wish all our neighbors in the West Valley happy holidays and a safe and prosperous New Year! It is good to be back home in the West Valley.

1. Community Support Key to Arrival of F-35 in Yuma
2. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base

12/10/2010 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. – The skies around Luke Air Force Base will be busier than normal Wednesday during Cactus Starfighter, a large force exercise for the 310th Fighter Squadron and 310th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. During Cactus Starfighter, the combined efforts of Luke units will launch more than 30 F-16s at one time.

The exercise will focus on mission planning and coordination in addition to aerial maneuvers. All student pilots in the F-16 Basic Course must participate in similar exercises at the end of their training, but this Cactus Starfighter is unique in the number of aircraft launching simultaneously and the level of coordination required, said Capt. Christopher Hubbard, 310th FS instructor pilot.

The plan is for 36 F-16s to launch from Luke’s runway. Of these, 32 will be “good guys” and four will be “bad guys,” or aggressors, Captain Hubbard said.

Additionally, a KC-135 tanker aircraft from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., will launch from Luke and provide aerial refueling. Also joining in the exercise are F-15 aggressors from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Marine Corps F-5 aggressors from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. Providing command and control as well as intelligence gathering are three aircraft from other bases: a joint surveillance target attack radar system aircraft from Warner Robins Air Force Base, Ga.; an airborne warning and control system aircraft from Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.; and an RC-135 rivet joint aircraft from Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.

“It’s always a goal to have as many aircraft flying as possible, because historically, in real conflicts, you would have this size of a package,” Captain Hubbard said. A package is the combination of air assets a commander sends to battle.

“Unfortunately, we aren’t usually able to put this many aircraft in the air,” he said. “The size of the exercise force is determined by a host of factors, including maintenance schedules and air space limitations.”

A large force exercise like Cactus Starfighter gives the B Course students realistic training in the way they would have to fight in a real-world operation.

The impetus for Cactus Starfighter came when Lieutenant Col. Timothy Trimmell, 756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, issued a challenge to the maintainers of the AMUs here.

“In September, Colonel Trimmell challenged the AMUs to ‘launch the fleet,’ i.e., see which AMU could be the first to launch all their aircraft at once,” said Capt. Joshua Downing, 310th AMU officer-in-charge. “We’re meeting that challenge.”

Regularly scheduled maintenance would normally preclude such a large launch of aircraft, Captain Downing said. In a normal week, at least three or four of the jets assigned to the 310th AMU aren’t flying because of maintenance schedules. Also, the sheer numbers of maintainers needed to launch 20-plus aircraft required special consideration, he said.

The coordination process to perform has included the 308th and 310th FSs, 56th Operations Support Squadron air traffic controllers, 56th Maintenance Operations Squadron end-of-runway crews, 56th Fighter Wing plans and scheduling, and other AMUs.

Also helping to put the exercise together are the Airmen of the 56th Operations Group Intelligence Flight. The flight is responsible for providing intelligence briefings to the fliers on all aspects of the different threats and weapons systems they will be simulating combat against during Cactus Starfighter. “Basically, we come up with all the plans to ensure the pilots can defeat the threat, do their job and come back home safely,” said 1st Lt. Chad Haring, 56th OG Intelligence Flight systems chief.

More aircraft means more pilots to brief.

“Instead of briefing two or four people across a table, we will be briefing a room full,” he said. “Our mission is the same, but the volume and quantity changes. We have to be very precise in making sure each individual gets the information.”

The event is going to include many assets, according to Captain Downing.

“This exercise will use all the resources we have,” he said. “The nearly 260 Airmen assigned to the AMU will assist with the launch and recovery of the jets.”

At least four jets will take off at a time, with a five to 10-minute gap until the next series takes off. Once all jets are in flight, they’ll be airborne for nearly an hour and a half.

“The ‘launch the fleet’ large force exercise will be an epic celebration of TopHats history to have all TopHats airborne at once,” said Lt. Col. Sean Routier, 310th FS director of operations. “Since it formally joined Luke Dec. 15, 1969, it’s been training pilots and weapon systems officers.”

Courtesy of 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs by Staff Sgt. Robert Biermann and Jodi Jordan

1. 309th AMU at Luke AFB receives Nellis AFB F-16

11/12/2010 – LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Sixty five new honorary commanders joined the 56th Fighter Wing after being inducted in a ceremony recently in Club Five Six, as part of a program designed to strengthen relationships between the base and local communities.

The Luke AFB Honorary Commanders Program partners unit commanders and others in leadership positions with civilian business and community leaders from the Phoenix metropolitan area.

During the two-year term, military commanders are encouraged to get to know their honoraries and invite them to their units for tours and special events and vice versa. This allows the honorary commanders the opportunity to learn about Luke AFB and the military commanders to learn about the civilian community.

“During the next two years you’re going to meet some fantastic Airmen,” said Brig. Gen. J.D. Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander, during the ceremony. “These are the sons and daughters that come out of American communities, and with these sons and daughters we defend the nation.”

General Harris said that the military does what it does, so business and community leaders can do what they do. The military protects national freedom and this in-turn enables business leaders, like those appointed as honoraries, to run the organizations that help drive the nation’s economy and maintain the American quality of life.

“The relationship between the local community and the base is pivotal,” he said.

The general also said the honorary commanders program can be a rewarding experience and encouraged the military commanders and their honoraries to get involved with each others’ organizations to reap the benefits.

“I’m really honored to be part of the program,” said Yvonne Pascoe, Marriott Corporation sales manager in Glendale. “I look forward to doing whatever I can do to give back.”

Mrs. Pascoe will serve as an honorary commander to Maj. Dominic Clementz, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron commander. She said that Marriott Corp. is always looking for ways to give back to the community, and the honorary commanders program can serve as a good avenue for her to do so.

The chairman of Fighter Country Partnership, Luke’s main advocate organization in the civilian community, called on all honoraries to get fully involved in the program.

“This is an amazing opportunity,” said Charley Freericks, FCP chairman of the board. “It’s an amazing opportunity because Luke is an amazing place.”

Mr. Freericks called Luke a special place with a special group of people that live by the core values of integrity, service before self and excellence.

“Get involved because it will be a life-changing experience,” Mr. Freericks said during his ceremony remarks. “It will build a sense of pride in the Air Force, a sense of pride in America and give you insight into the great military machine here at Luke.”

Mr. Freericks praised the outgoing group of honoraries for their involvement in the past two years, and he also gave kudos to alumni honorary commanders for their continued support for the men and women of Luke AFB.

1. The Honorary Commander Program
2. 56th FW ground safety best in Air Force
3. Honorary Commander Feature: Mr. Mike Nealy

With today’s decision by the Air Force, Luke is poised to transition from its current F-16 training mission to become the Air Force’s F-35 “school house,” subject to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that is currently underway.

“Today’s announcement is great news for our region and our state and represents a major milestone and the most critical stage in the F-35 site selection process,” said Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs.

“Although we realize there is more work ahead of us, we are extremely grateful to our state’s congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, Governor Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard, and citizens and businesses for working closely with us to champion and support the F-35 coming to Luke Air Force Base through our Luke Forward campaign,” Scruggs said.

The campaign was developed locally to send a clear, strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke Air Force Base continuing to serve as one of the country’s premier fighter pilot training facilities and to raise awareness of the critical role Luke plays in our national defense and the state’s economy.

The campaign was created by the West Valley Partners and Fighter Country Partnership.  The West Valley Partners include Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown.

Gov. Brewer said the Air Force’s decision is, in part, the result of all levels of local and state governments, as well as the private sector, working in partnership on a common vision.

“We all know that Luke is the ideal location for this next generation fighter, but I also believe that today’s decision demonstrates Arizona’s ability to roll up our sleeves and work together for the betterment of our state,” she said.

“It’s critical that we continue to do all we can to preserve current and future missions at our military installations in order to keep this very important industry viable in our state.”

Luke Air Force Base and other military installations in the state collectively represent one of the largest industries in Arizona and generate more than $9 billion annually in economic impact statewide. Luke alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2.17 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, according to a recent study commissioned by the state.

Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) Chairman Charley Freericks, who is co-chairing the Luke Forward campaign with Scruggs, credits community support for today’s decision.
“Local community support of military bases is very important back in Washington, and we know the tremendous Valley and statewide support for Luke Air Force Base really helped us,” said Freericks, a senior vice president at DMB Associates.

“We reached literally tens of thousands of Arizonans through our citizen and business outreach initiatives, and community support for Luke Air Force Base was overwhelming. There is no question that this strong level of support was a significant factor in the Air Force’s decision to site the F-35 at Luke.”

Today’s announcement is being made prior to the release of the Air Force’s draft F-35 basing EIS document, which is anticipated to be published in the next 30 days. The Air Force is required to conduct an environmental assessment of each potential F-35 site before making its final basing decision.

This federally mandated assessment, which is referred to as the EIS process, allows individual citizens and communities around candidate bases to provide input during the formal evaluation of each base.

The Draft EIS will serve as the Air Force’s notice of intent to proceed. Once the Draft EIS is released, in which Luke will be identified as the Air Force’s preferred site, public hearings will be held later this year.

Once the public hearings are held and the comment period concludes, the Air Force will release its final EIS document that will provide responses to comments received from the public.

After the Final EIS document is published, there will be an additional 30-day public review period. After reviewing comments received during this time frame and after considering any environmental impacts, the Air Force will making its final basing decision. It is anticipated the Air Force’s final “Record of Decision,” which will conclude the EIS process, will be made in early 2011.

1. Luke AFB Pilot Selected to Fly F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds

Sen. John McCain at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona

On Friday, U.S. Sen. John McCain told West Valley leaders in Litchfield Park that he is confident Luke Air Force Base will land the F-35 Lightning II, a new generation of stealth aircraft.

The F-35 Lightning II, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, has long been regarded as the savior of Luke, a base in Glendale where F-16 pilots are trained. McCain was addressing Westmarc, a West Valley consortium of business, government and community leaders.

“I can say with great confidence, we will have the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base where training for every Air Force pilot will take place,” he said.

The Air Force is in the midst of an environmental-impact study to determine the aircraft’s effect on such things as air quality and noise. A first draft is expected in September.

Although the decision where to base the F-35 isn’t McCain’s, he is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He is also running for re-election in a Republican primary campaign against challenger J.D. Hayworth, a former six-term Arizona congressman and conservative radio talk-show host.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett were thrilled at McCain’s prediction.

“What jumped out at me is the F-35 is coming to Luke Air Force Base,” Scruggs said. “I liked that certainty and assuredness and no questions about it.”

Barrett said the most important economic issue facing the West Valley is the acquisition of the F-35 at Luke. Luke’s economic impact on the state is almost $2.2 billion.

“For the senator to stand up there and say he is confident that we’re going to secure the F-35 is exhilarating,” Barrett said.

Story by David Madrid @ The Arizona Republic

1. Senator John McCain Honored by Fighter Country
2. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
3. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom

Maj. Josh "Dog" Wood, 56th Operations Support Squadron weapons chief, was selected to fly the new F-35 Lightning II Joints Strike Fighter. He was one of five pilots selected out of approximately 150 candidates. (U.S. Air Force photo/Justin Oakes)

Maj. Josh Wood, current 56th FW Weapons officer, will soon be departing Luke AFB and no longer fly F-16s, but the next generation aircraft, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

With Air Force bases across the globe submitting recommendations, Major Wood is one of five pilots selected out of approximately 150 candidates to fly the F-35.

“First off, I’m extremely humbled and it means the world to me,” said Major Wood. “I can’t describe what an unbelievable opportunity this is.”

Major Wood has spent 10 years in the Air Force and has been stationed at Luke since July 2008. He has more than 1,430 flight hours in an F-16 and approximately 1,650 total flight hours.

The future F-35 pilot attributes his selection to something a little more than a decade of experience and more than a thousand hours of flight time.

“It was the right combination of luck, timing, superior leadership and God’s sovereignty that allowed me to be chosen,” Major Wood said. “Coming to Luke also played an integral part. I was afforded the opportunity to be both a basic F-16 instructor and a weapons officer at the largest F-16 base in the world. And both positions were selection criteria for the F-35 program.”

The F-35 Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon share several similarities that will make the transition easier, Major Wood said.

“Both are single engine, multirole aircraft that share stick and hands-on throttle likeness,” Major Wood said. “The cockpit of the F-35 was heavily influenced by and bears a strong resemblance to the F-16.”

But what Major Wood is looking forward to are not the similarities, but the differences in technology and enhancements in capabilities the new Joint Strike Fighter offers.

“A new helmet-mounted display system, electro-optical targeting system and a distributed aperture system are just a few of things I’m looking forward to getting my hands on,” Major Wood said.

A synthetic aperture system provides pilots with a unique protective sphere around the aircraft enhancing situational awareness, missile and aircraft warning, day and night vision and fire control capability.

“Through the use of this new aircraft, we will be able to bridge the gap from current threat to capability,” Major Wood said. “We will have the ability to go anywhere and continue making our mark on air dominance and supremacy.”

In four weeks Major Wood departs for a one-year short tour at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, before moving to Eglin AFB and begin flying the new F-35.

Seeing how I’m a Tallahassee, Fla., native, the location couldn’t better, Major Wood said.

“We also have grandparents in Florida. And for the first time ever, we’ll be stationed less than 1,000 miles from home,” Major Wood said. “We are all very excited and this is a positive thing all the way around. The entire family is excited to be a part of this effort.”

by Justin Oakes
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER
2. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds
3. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

Unfortunately, there have been many opinions that were misconstrued as facts that could potentially hurt the opportunity to have Luke AFB chosen as the new JSF training base for the Department of Defense.

As mayor of Surprise, I want to state my full support for bringing the F-35 training program to Arizona.  Surprise has more flyovers of aircraft than any other West Valley city and we hear the roar of those jets as the sound of freedom.

Others have misstated the F-35 being twice as loud as the current F-16s that we have at Luke AFB, but the official Department of Defense tests completed in October 2008 at Edwards Air Force Base concluded that the F-35 is approximately 10% louder than the F-16s currently flying at Luke AFB.

The Environmental Impact Statement process that will be conducted at Luke will also consider the noise generated from the F-35 as part of its site-specific data collection.

Beyond the mechanics of the F-35, I also want to highlight the impact of the military on our local community.

With the close proximity of Surprise to Luke AFB, many of the 8,000 active-duty personnel and their 6,700 family members have chosen to live and work in Surprise.  Their impact on our city—through the contributions they make as employees at local businesses, to their children in local schools to their choice to reside in Surprise—cannot be negated and truly shows the close relationship that Surprise and Luke AFB share.

Without these brave men and women serving our country and playing an active role in our community, Surprise would not be the wonderful city that we all call home.  We welcome them as our neighbors, co-workers, students and customers and look forward to Luke AFB being a thriving partner to our south long after the F-16 program is phased out in 2025.

Luke AFB was here in the West Valley long before neighboring cities began cropping up and we should all unite in our support of continuing Luke’s contribution to our region and to the entire state of Arizona.

The economic impact of $2.1 billion annually that Luke contributes to Arizona’s economy cannot be dismissed, as we all benefit through small and large business cultivation, revenue generation and an increase in the quality of jobs created by the presence of Luke in our backyard.  This will only increase in the years to come if we continue to show a united support of our “hometown Air Base.”

It’s been wonderful to hear positive feedback and support from our Surprise-based businesses in the last few weeks. Many of these businesses have voiced their support for the mission at Luke AFB and stated that they would not be in business without the support of the military personnel who have become loyal customers.
Our business community is rising up to show their support for continuing the mission at Luke and bringing the F-35 mission here by writing letters of support, putting support sign-up sheets out for their customers to sign, providing discounts for those with military identification cards and enthusiastically asking how they can continue showing their support for bringing the F-35 to Arizona.

I invite you to join me and these Surprise business owners in voicing your support of the mission at Luke AFB and bringing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission to Arizona by going to www.lukeforward.com.  In addition to adding your support through that website, you can also find answers to questions you may have about the technical aspects of the F-35 aircraft or the JSF mission coming to Arizona.

1. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
2. Town of Buckeye Supports F-35 at Luke Air Force Base
3. Goodyear’s city council recognizes the importance of Luke Air Force Base and the F-35 mission

Local, State Leaders Work Together to Make Arizona A National Model for Protecting Military Bases

West Valley and state leaders have been working together to take proactive steps in preserving and enhancing the long-term mission viability of the state’s military installations.

Their actions may soon pay off as Luke Air Force Base is one of several Air Force bases being considered for the upcoming F-35 training mission.

Since the first successful state legislation was passed in 1978, there has been a coordinated and continuous approach to establishing compatible land uses around military bases in Arizona, including Luke.

State laws establish compatible land uses and other protections within noise contours and accident potential zones that ensure that responsible land-use planning and development occurs around Luke.

The state legislation reflects the tremendous commitment local, regional and state leaders have in protecting military installations statewide from development encroachment, according to Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, who recently traveled to Washington to brief top Air Force officials on Arizona’s strong support for Luke’s mission.

“Luke is a critical economic asset and a point of pride for all Arizonans. I am committed to leading the fight to enforce state laws protecting the base from encroachment and will continue to work with state, local and federal officials to secure the F-35 training mission at Luke.”

The Arizona Legislature has taken a variety of proactive steps in to protect Luke and other military airports in the state, including the establishment of:

• Enhanced notification requirements of proposed development in the vicinity of military airports.
• Increased disclosure on the sale of land within the vicinity of military airports.
• A chart of compatible land uses within high noise and accident potential zones.
• Sound attenuation standards for development near military airports.
• Statutes prohibiting natural gas storage facilities within nine miles of military airports.
• Zoning protections around auxiliary fields to mirror those around primary military airports.
• A “Military Installation Fund” used to buy land near bases or finance infrastructure improvements.
• Notification to potential homebuyers interested in purchasing homes that are under military training routes of military activity overhead.

When state legislation led to the establishment of noise contour lines around Luke, state and local leaders had the foresight to make the area within the noise lines larger in order to provide the flexibility to accommodate new aircraft and changing training missions.

For example, the current noise contour lines are almost twice as large that what is necessary for Luke’s current F-16 training mission.

In addition to the state statutes already in place, West Valley cities surrounding Luke have protected 32,788 acres from development that would be incompatible with Luke’s training mission.

“Goodyear is proud to be known as ‘The Protector of Luke’s Southern Departure Corridor,’” said Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh. “More than 90 percent of the high noise contour areas around the corridor are in Goodyear and properly zoned now to protect Luke’s mission. We also spent $3.5 million — 10 percent of the city’s operating budget — to buy Duncan Family Farms in 2003 and make sure the departure corridor remains indisputably clear.”

Today, Arizona is recognized as a national model in protecting military facilities. But, in order for this success story to continue, both the public and private sectors must continue to be aggressive in supporting efforts to protect and continue the mission at Luke, Cavanaugh said.

1. Understanding the real dollar impact of Luke and other military operations in Arizona
2. F-35 public information sessions for Jacksonville Air National Guard Station in Florida
3. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base

Luke Air Force Base has been home to the “school house” of the Air Force since the 1940’s and has become the premier location for Air Force fighter pilot training in the nation. As the Air Force seeks a second training site for the F-35 or Joint Strike Fighter, Arizona should lead the competition due to a number of key decisions made by the state and local leadership, the vastness of the training environment and a number of variables that make Luke AFB unique among its competition.

Airspace

Arizona is unmatched in its availability of range space and military training routes. With a combination of military operations areas, restricted airspace, Barry M. Goldwater Range (BMGR) and low-level training routes for accessing the entire network, Luke AFB is situated to take advantage of Arizona’s full complement of training environments. In particular, BMGR is a1.7-million-acre open training area that allows for the use of a full complement of the most technologically advanced weaponry in live-fire exercises.

Quality of Life

The Air Force prides itself on ensuring a high quality of life for its airmen and officers, whether on-base activities or in the surrounding communities. Luke AFB is in Glendale, which is located in one of the largest metropolitan areas in the country. Our metro area features first-class arts and culture, education, family activities, shopping, pro sports and entertainment venues all within a short drive of the base. Additionally, the availability and affordability of housing within the surrounding communities gives Luke AFB an added attractiveness for those service men and women looking to live off base in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Compatible Growth

Luke is and has been the Air Forces’ school house for decades and that mission has been secured through the actions of state and local leaders, who realized the importance of protecting and preserving the military mission at Luke. State statutes locked in protective development land-use requirements that, had development been left unchecked, might otherwise have allowed incompatible development to occur closer to the main fields and auxiliary fields on which Luke depends for its training mission.

These protections, in local zoning and state statute, have been held up around the nation as a model of how to protect a military installation from incompatible development and thus ensure the mission. What Arizona has done will ensure that the current mission of Luke AFB is unaffected and will go a long way towards securing a follow-on training mission, such as the    F-35.

Community Support

Support from the community, elected officials, and support groups — such as Fighter Country Partnership — has been overwhelming throughout the years. Luke AFB and the support it receives from the surrounding community is unwavering and will be beneficial during the environmental impact study (EIS) process for determining the second  training base for the F-35.  Luke is well positioned for that follow-on mission, and the future looks bright for Luke to continue its training mission far into the future.

———

Tom Browning is a retired brigadier general of the Air Force and former commander at Luke Air Force Base.

1. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
2. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base 2011 Airshow & Open House

The legal agreement to prevent residential encroachment around Luke Air Force Base and its auxiliary facilities represents a major victory for the citizens of Arizona.

The settlement is significant in several respects:

• It brings Maricopa County into compliance with state laws enacted to protect military airports from encroaching development. Those laws were passed to safeguard not only state military installations, but also the health and safety of residents living nearby.
• It improves Luke’s chances to be chosen as a training base for the next generation of Air Force jets, the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. That decision stands to have a substantial impact on Arizona’s economy since the base contributes more than $2 billion a year to the State.
• It shows what can be accomplished when a commitment to serve the greater good prevails over political and policy differences. I commend the members of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Gov. Jan Brewer for their roles in helping work out the final agreement.

The Luke controversy goes back to 2004 when the State Legislature and the Governor signed into law development requirements to ensure adequate buffer zones around the State’s military bases. All local governments in Maricopa County, with the exception of the county itself, complied with the law. The county continued to issue nearly 100 residential building permits in areas with high accident and noise potential surrounding Luke and its related facilities.

Two years ago, I issued a legal opinion affirming the Legislature’s intent to protect Arizona’s military bases and followed up with a letter to the Maricopa County Board asserting its legal obligation to protect Luke from residential encroachment. When the board indicated it would not comply, I filed a lawsuit asking the court to require the county to take the steps required by state law. The county countersued, asking the court to strike down the 2004 law.

One year ago, Maricopa County Superior Court ruled in our favor on nearly every point in our lawsuit, but the county remained unwilling to give up all aspects of its legal challenge.

The agreement reached this week resolves the lawsuit and should stop residential development near the base. A key to the settlement was the State’s willingness to partner with the county and be the first line of legal defense against any potential lawsuits filed by property owners who still want to build in the high-risk zones around Luke.

Air Force officials have left no doubt that encroachment could trip up Luke’s bid. In a recent letter, Gen. Norton Schwartz, the Air Force Chief of Staff, wrote that continued development within the high noise and accident potential zones “is incompatible with military flight operations” and had “cast a bit of a shadow” on Luke’s otherwise excellent standing.

The criteria set for making the F-35 decision make the importance of this settlement clear. The Air Force created a 100-point system based on the following: weather and airspace (60 points), cost (5 points), capacity (25 points) and environment (10 points). In the latter category are two sub-categories, air quality (3 points) and encroachment (7 points). Resolving the encroachment dispute should enable Luke to gain most, if not all, of those 7 points and could give the base the highest score.

Ever since its opening in 1941, Luke has played a vital role in our nation’s security and our State’s economy. It has trained more than 55,000 pilots during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and more recently, the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, more than 95 percent of the Air Force’s F-16 pilots are trained at Luke, confirming its status as the country’s premier fighter pilot training base.

We don’t want that to change. The settlement reached this week should help maintain Luke’s prominent mission far into the future.

Terry Goddard is the attorney general of Arizona.

1. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
2. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Fighter Country Partnership) PHOENIX – Governor Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard and the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors today adopted an agreement to resolve a long-standing issue involving residential encroachment around Luke Air Force Base at a special meeting of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors held at the Wigwam Resort in Litchfield Park.

“I’d like to thank key leaders and their staff who joined me in reaching this important resolution that the Supervisors adopted today, including Senator John Nelson, Attorney General Terry Goddard, the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors and Senator John McCain,” said Governor Brewer. “It is a testament to our state officials who came together in a unified and cooperative spirit to uphold the health and welfare of our citizens, preserve the rights of property owners as well as the success of the State’s military bases. Our unified agreement will no doubt make clear to the U. S. Defense Department that Arizona stands ready for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter mission.”

“This agreement represents a major victory for the citizens of Arizona,” Goddard said. “It upholds state law, protects the health and safety of nearby residents and strengthens Luke’s bid for the F-35. It also shows what can be accomplished when a commitment to serve the greater good prevails over political and policy differences.”

The settlement agreement reached between the parties provides that the County will not issue building permits for new or expanded residential construction in high noise and accident potential zones.
“We always knew that protecting Luke was our common, unifying thread,” said Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Don Stapley. “But working together on this agreement, those bonds and communication are stronger. Those bonds will serve us well in the future.”

“The Governor has always been a strong supporter of Luke Air Force Base,” said Supervisor Max W. Wilson. “This agreement protects the base, its mission and its future. It gives Maricopa County taxpayers a measure of protection as well.”

Luke Air Force Base injects over $2 billion a year into Arizona’s economy.

###

Office of the Governor
(602) 542-1342
psenseman@az.gov

Steve M. Wilson
Attorney General’s Office
(602) 542-8351
Steve.Wilson@azag.gov

Richard de Uriarte
Maricopa County Board
of Supervisors
(602) 506-7232
deuriarter@mail.maricopa.gov

Download a PDF here.

1. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment
2. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
3. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base

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 Brewer and Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, then would have to be approved by county supervisors. The supervisors could call a special meeting to consider the agreement this week.

Goddard stressed that the draft agreement is a work in progress, but he sent it to Brewer on Wednesday night for her approval.

Brewer said she was confident a deal acceptable to all was imminent.

“We’re hoping to have a good, strong positive message to send to (the Department of Defense) very soon that basically Arizona stands together, and we’re united and supportive of Luke Air Force Base,” she said.

Goddard said the agreement would ensure that the county approves a zoning ordinance preventing new single-family homes within the noise and accident-potential zones of Luke, its Auxiliary Field 1, and Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field.

Brewer and U.S. Sen. John McCain met with Supervisor Max Wilson several months ago to ask him to help end residential encroachment, said Scott Isham, Wilson’s chief of staff. Some of Wilson’s constituents have opposed development restrictions around Luke, however, saying their private-property rights would be harmed and their property values diminished.

Wilson would not comment for this article, but he sent an e-mail that said, “I am optimistic that now with Gov. Brewer taking a leadership role in the Luke Air Force Base issue for the state, we can put the political posturing behind us and lock up the F-35.”

Goddard sued the county in August 2008 to stop it from issuing building permits for new homes in Luke’s restricted areas.

The county countersued, asking the courts to strike down as unconstitutional the law that prevented building in those areas. The county maintained that landowner property rights prevented the denial of building permits in the restricted zones.

The court ruled in favor of the state in February, but a fight over a narrow strip of land prolonged the battle.

“It is my opinion that it (agreement) would settle the lawsuit,” Goddard said.

The potential for encroachment of homes on the base and its facilities works against the state’s attempts to land the F-35, also called the Joint Strike Fighter.

Air Force officials have asked residents, local government representatives and community leaders to help shape an environmental analysis study that begins the process for an environmental impact study. The EIS examines issues relating to land use, airspace and safety, air and water quality, noise, socioeconomic, biological and cultural resources.

The military will use the environmental impact study to help determine which base lands the F-35, a stealth air-to-ground fighter.

Goddard said the agreement he has sent to the governor meets the health and safety needs of Luke and protects the base.

He noted that the Air Force has a criteria sheet used to grade potential bases for the F-35. The competition is tough, and every point Luke can gain is critical to landing the F-35, he said.

Rusty Mitchell, Luke’s director of Community Initiatives Team, said the base can’t comment on the F-35.

The conclusion is here

1. Military base protected from encroachment with new agreement
2. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission
3. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base

Hearing the stories associated with the military in Arizona, it’s easy to see why we are so eager to support the men and women at Luke Air Force Base.

Beyond what these brave soldiers do in protecting our nation each and every day, their contributions to our state cannot be overlooked. Their operations impact our everyday economic lives; this is the untold, and oftentimes overlooked, Arizona story.

As chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety committee, I am honored to work on these issues and have gained an understanding of the real impacts military installations like Luke AFB have on our state.

The state of Arizona is now being presented with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring the military’s next generation fighter pilot training mission to Arizona – the F-35. It should be the job of every Arizonan to actively support the Luke Forward campaign to bring this joint strike fighter to our state.

Adding this training program to Arizona’s military installation in Glendale will help protect and grow Arizona’s economy, add high quality jobs and increase investments here.

Following World War II, defense industry production and manufacturing companies moved from the West and East coasts and found new homes inland. Arizona earned a lion’s share of those jobs and employers. Decades later, the aerospace and military-related industries in Arizona continue to be a critical platform of our state’s economic engine.

Consider the impact of 45,000 employees around the state. Their home and car purchases, their retail impact, their travel – and each of these multipliers generate state tax revenue to provide families with health care, education and other vital services.
Aerospace manufacturers and all of their supply chain partners add to this ripple effect on the economy.
This holistic viewpoint demonstrates the true value of military installations in Arizona. Beyond the military operations around the state, including civilian employees and the military contractors (such as aerospace manufacturers), there are countless businesses who benefit directly from these activities.

In 2008, the Arizona Department of Commerce commissioned The Maguire Company to study the overall impact of military operations in the state. The study found that:

·        45,000 full time employees work in military operations in Arizona

·        75,000+ military retirees live near our military bases in Arizona

·        $2.1 billion in annual payroll and retirement benefits are added to the Arizona economy
annually

·        $3.2 billion in direct economic output in Arizona

·        $9.1 billion in direct, indirect and induced impacts

The F-16 mission at Luke Air Force Base continues to train and deploy the nation’s best fighter pilots. Training the nation’s best fighter pilots is a long-standing mission at Luke, and it must continue.
All Arizonans have a direct call to action – our citizens and our elected leaders must fight for Arizona to earn the next fighter jet training mission. The F-35 training mission will secure the future of our state’s military operations and create a more robust economy that benefits every Arizonan.

There’s no tomorrow in this effort – Luke and Arizona need our support today.

——————

State Representative Jerry Weiers serves the voters of District 12 in the West Valley and is the chairman of the House Military Affairs and Public Safety Committee. He also is a licensed pilot and a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

1. The Impact of Luke and Other Military Operations
2. Arizona is recognized as a national model in protecting military facilities
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base
3. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign

Goodyear’s City Council has recognized for years the importance of protecting the base from encroachment.

In 1994, the Council adopted a new zoning policy that requires all new residential developers in the city to inform buyers that their property is subject to aircraft flyovers from Luke. But, this was just the beginning of several actions this southwest city has done to help protect Luke’s mission.

During the ‘90s as residential growth continued around Luke, it became increasingly apparent that the Southern Departure Corridor was essential to the future viability of Luke’s mission.

The increased pressure of residential developments north of the base prevented Luke from flying live ordinance off the north end of the runway. As a result, the Southern Departure Corridor became the only route F-16 fighter pilots headed to the Barry M. Goldwater Range could use to carry live ordnance.

This change of live ordnance flights to the south in 2001 caused major safety concerns for Luke and the city of Goodyear.

One such concern centered on Duncan Family Farms, which had become a very popular field-trip destination for many area schools since 1991. With the change in live ordnance flights, the farm was now located directly in Luke’s accident potential zone.

The city worked closely with the farm’s owners and several other nearby property owners to find alternative locations for them to relocate that were outside the accident potential zones. When no sites could be found that were acceptable to all parties, Goodyear became the first city to make a substantial financial commitment to protecting Luke’s interests by purchasing Duncan Family Farms.

Two years later, Goodyear took another major step in protecting the only remaining flight corridor for Luke’s fighter pilots.

In 2003, Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh and council members partnered with Arizona’s congressional delegation to request money in the federal government’s Military Appropriations Bill for land acquisition to preserve access to the Barry M. Goldwater Range.

On March 18, 2004, a press conference was held to announce that $27.3 million in federal money had been awarded to buy land around Luke to protect the base from residential encroachment.
“This was a great day for Luke Air Force Base and a great day for Goodyear,” said Cavanaugh. “More than 90 percent of the Southern Departure Corridor’s 4,000 acres are located in Goodyear, and this money made it possible for the government to compensate land owners in our city and protect Luke’s mission.”

With the federal appropriation, the threat of residential encroachment south of the base was well on the way to being controlled. But Goodyear officials felt one more bold steps were needed.

The final and arguably the most substantial protection effort was a rezoning decision the City Council made in 2005 relating to 200 acres of property within the noise contour lines.

Robson Properties had sought and received approval from Goodyear in 1998 to use this property for phase two of the Pebble Creek master-planned community.
However, after the noise contour lines were amended into the city’s General Plan in 2000, building residential units on this property was no longer an option. At the city’s request, Robson Properties agreed to move the planned residential units to property outside the noise contours. The developer also agreed to no longer build residential units within the adopted noise contour lines.

“Over the years, Goodyear has demonstrated its dedication and commitment to protecting Luke Air Force Base,” said Cavanaugh. “This not only applies to Luke’s current mission, but its future missions as well. Bold action was required then, and bold action is required now for us to secure the new F-35 training mission.”

As a result of the proactive actions and decisions that Goodyear has made over the last two decades, the city is now known as the “proud home of Luke’s Southern Departure Corridor.”

1. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
2. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base anti-encroachment pact protects base for F-35 mission

The impression is that many El Mirage residents are opposed to Luke being considered for the follow-on mission of the F-35. Nothing could be further from the truth!

There are a great number of El Mirage residents who are not in lock step with those few city leaders who are leveraging the selection process to force payments from the federal government.

A great number of us, a number which is growing every day, are concerned that our leadership may jeopardize the follow-on mission by their antics and paint the entire city as opposed to Luke and the F-35.
Like many of our city leaders’ communications, El Mirage’s messages are mixed, particularly when matched with their actions.

Case in point: the city’s recent “Sustainability Forum,” which was presented as an opportunity for the community to hear about El Mirage development issues, was nothing more than a compare-and-contrast of what El Mirage could be were it not for development restrictions caused by Luke AFB.

The most worrisome part of the meeting was the fact they played a recording inside a concrete room of various aircraft acoustics with the clear intention of stoking the fears of its own citizens over the perceived noise issue.
El Mirage residents and the West Valley need serious discussion about the impacts of a new mission at Luke AFB. We don’t need a self-generated media storm by our elected officials attempting to leverage towards an ill-defined outcome. That is why we formed the citizen group, People Of El Mirage.

The People of El Mirage is a collection of El Mirage residents who will give voice to those within the city who support Luke AFB, who are open to having a follow-on mission of the F-35 and who want open discussion about the impacts of a new mission on our city — not fear mongering and pandering from those we elect to serve us.

We will have a website at www.PeopleOfElMirage.com in the coming weeks, which will help disseminate information and hold our elected officials accountable to the people they serve.
The People of El Mirage citizens group recently hosted a public meeting with representatives from Fighter Country Partnership, Luke AFB, and Dr. Jack Rutherford from Arizona State University to provide a factual basis from which residents could draw their own conclusions.

We had close to 300 people from El Mirage — people who wanted facts about the issues and process. We plan to hold more meetings in the coming months to ensure that the facts and process are clearly understood and not used in some alternative way to damage our city’s reputation any further than it already has been.

The upcoming public process is designed to gather information, relate it to the public and allow communities to assess the impact on their communities. Our intention is to ensure the facts are not skewed, that the process is open and that the real impacts on our city are known and understood.

The EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) process will be open to all residents and groups of impacted communities to show their support and gather/submit information.  We welcome the start of this process.

————————————————–

Ms. Lana Mooks is a resident of El Mirage

1. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base
2. Jim Cavanaugh – The future of Luke Air Force Base
3. Peoria mayor urges Luke Air Force Base support

Lt General John F. Regni, USAF (retired)

Alternative Missions for Luke AFB?  Not hardly…

This summer, my wife and I moved to the West Valley after 36 years of commissioned active duty service in the United States Air Force.  I have been following with great interest the deliberate planning process for determining the F-35 Lightning II aircraft base assignment; in particular the issues arising from and by the elected officials and citizens of El Mirage.  While it is both impressive and heartwarming to see the large number of people with genuine and unwavering support for the men and women in uniform–and for continuing the vital training missions of Luke AFB–it has also been rather interesting listening to the public discussion on jet noise.  Now, the latest notion being put forward is rather than have F-35s at Luke, the community should enter a dialogue with the Air Force on altering the mission of Luke AFB to ones that do not have jet noise.  Let me outline why that would be a bankrupt strategy and puts at risk the $2.17 billion of economic impact to the Valley of the Sun and to Arizona.

First on jet noise. There seems to be a significant amount of confusion and misinformation being bandied about at El Mirage town meetings.  For example, a group concerned about jet noise visited Eglin AFB in Florida and obtained a recording of aircraft landing at the end of Eglin’s runway and only 100 feet above ground.  They later played those tapes to the citizens of El Mirage at a town meeting with speakers on full blast—of course, it was ear-splitting.  Next they insinuated that is what    F-35s will sound like over El Mirage. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, you would hear that level of sound if you stood on Northern Avenue at the end of the Luke runway directly underneath jets less than 100 feet overhead.  But El Mirage is 4-and-one-half miles from the end of Luke’s runway, and the pattern for flight overhead is not 100 feet but 1,500 feet above ground level.   In the upcoming months as part of this deliberate process on F-35 basing, there will be a public release of the actual noise level and contour maps for the surrounding communities.  I urge people to wait for the science and the facts; then have productive discussions on the similarities, differences and impacts of moving from F-16s to the F-35.

As to altering the mission of Luke AFB—an established fighter training base continuously since World War II—let me outline a macro view of the United States Air Force and its specific mission areas, and offer my opinion on which alternative missions might instead come to Luke.  The short answer is I see none.  It is F-35 or little else.  Let me explain.

Our United States Air Force provides to our sovereign nation military effects and power across three domains:  air, space and cyber.  Cyber is the Air Force’s newest mission and it entails defensive and offensive measures to protect vital computer networks, communication systems and links so the military would never be blinded by potential enemies and adversaries.   Space missions include the Global Positioning Systems (for example, your navigators in your car, golf cart or cell phones use the constellation of Air Force GPS satellites to determine your location and route), early warning, weather, and reconnaissance satellites, and more.   Air missions include air dominance and air superiority, global reach, global power including close air support to soldiers on the ground, ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and more.  The Air Force has six distinctive capabilities it brings to the joint service fight: Air and Space Superiority, Global Attack, Rapid Global Mobility, Precision Engagement, Information Superiority and Agile Combat Support.

Today, Luke AFB (including its Goldwater Range, Gila Bend and Auxiliary 1 fields) trains fighter pilots and maintenance personnel, and does so from the largest fighter wing in the USAF.  Luke AFB directly supports the capabilities of Global Attack, Precision Engagement and Agile Combat Support and to some degree Air Superiority.

How would Luke fit for other active duty mission areas and capabilities?

- Cyber missions are headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with Cyber Wings at Lackland AFB in Texas and Robins AFB in Georgia.  While the 56^th Communications Squadron at Luke does have the responsibility of implementing directed measures to ensure local computer systems are protected, the headquarters, planning, policy, programming and budgeting of Cyber will come from the Pentagon and San Antonio.  I envision no global Cyber missions for Luke.

- Space Command is headquartered at Peterson AFB in Colorado.  Satellites are controlled from Schriever AFB in Colorado.  On each coast, we have space launch bases—Patrick AFB (Cape Canaveral) in Florida and Vandenberg AFB in California.  Los Angeles AF Station manages a majority of the space acquisition programs.  I see no Space missions for Luke.

- Nuclear missions are in the Global Strike Command with its headquarters at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.  Nuclear capable bombers are at Barksdale, Minot AFB in North Dakota and Whiteman AFB in Missouri.  Global Strike Command also controls the inter-continental ballistic missile forces with missile silos at Malmstrom AFB in Montana, FE Warren AFB in Wyoming and Minot AFB in ND.  I envision no nuclear assets at Luke AFB.

- Air Mobility Command provides the strategic and tactical airlift with C-17s, C-5s and C-130 aircraft and the tanker refueling force of KC-135s and KC-10s.  While headquartered at Scott AFB in Illinois (adjacent to and part of the US Transportation Command, also at Scott AFB), its bases are logically on the coasts.   Eastern ports of embarkation are Dover AFB in Delaware, Charleston AFB in South Carolina and McGuire AFB in New Jersey.  Western ports and bases include Travis AFB in California, McChord AFB in Washington, Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and Hickam AFB in Hawaii.   Air Mobility Command also maintains an Enroute Structure of bases across the Atlantic, Pacific oceans and into the warzone.  C-130s for tactical intra-theater airlift are often co-located next to Army bases like Pope AFB next to Fort Bragg in North Carolina, as well as in the European and Pacific theaters.  I see no mobility missions for Luke.

- ISR—Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance—involve an array of manned aircraft systems and remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).  Robins AFB in Georgia is home to the JSTARS system, Tinker AFB in Oklahoma (as well as Elmendorf Alaska and NATO Geilenkirchen in Germany) is home to the AWACS system.  Beale AFB in California houses the U-2 system and the Global Hawk RPA while Predator and Reaper RPA are operated from Creech AFB in Nevada, and soon from Cannon AFB and Holloman AFB in New Mexico.  I see no ISR mission for Luke.

- The Air Force’s elite special operations are based at Hurlburt Field in Florida and also at Moody AFB in Georgia and Kirtland AFB in New Mexico.  I see no special ops work for Luke.

- Pushing the envelope with flight test is Edwards AFB across great expanses of flat desert and dry lake beds in California.  I see no opportunities for the Flight Test Center at Luke AFB.

- In Air Superiority, think F-22.  Training for those fighter pilots is at Tyndall AFB in Florida and the operational bases have already been determined at Langley AFB in Virginia, Holloman AFB in New Mexico, Elmendorf AFB in Alaska and Hickam AFB in Hawaii.  The Air Force will only have 186 F-22s and they are all spoken for.  None will come to Luke.

- Precision engagement missions are accomplished with F-16s, F-15Es and A-10s.  Luke, Seymour-Johnson AFB in North Carolina and Davis-Monthan AFB  in Tucson are the respective fighter training bases for those systems. Active duty A-10 bases include Davis-Monthan, Moody AFB in Georgia, Eielson AFB in Alaska, Osan Air Base in Korea, and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.    Active duty F-15E are based at Mountain Home AFB in Idaho, Elemendorf AFB in Alaska and RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.  Active duty operational F-16 wings are well established at Shaw AFB in South Carolina, Hill AFB in Utah, Aviano Air Base in Italy, Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany, Osan and Kunsan Air Bases in Korea, and Misawa Air Base in Japan.  The Air Force has already determined the F-16 and A-10 replacement—the F-35—will have operational wings at bases other than Luke.  Eglin AFB in Florida is already designated as a joint training base for the F-35, and Eglin’s proximity facilitates Navy needs.  Luke remains in competition for the second training base.  That flying training mission is the only one penciled in as a possibility for Luke.  Other active bases being considered are Eglin AFB in Florida and Holloman AFB in New Mexico.

The bottom line is Luke’s future is training fighter pilots in the F-35. F-35s at Luke would continue its historical mission, continue the best military-community partnership I have seen across the USA, and from an economic standpoint, continue to provide the $2.17 billion foundation to the West Valley, broader Phoenix and Arizona’s economy—especially important as we work through these toughest of economic times.  The remaining multi-missions of the United States Air Force are well-established at bases and communities and performing superbly.  It would be fiscally irresponsible to relocate well-established infrastructure elsewhere for other than mission-essential reasons.  It would also ask Peter to pay Paul by uprooting missions from other USA communities.  Notions by some to go down those paths of changing the mission of Luke AFB are unrealistic and put much at risk.

Let me close by mentioning several key initiatives involving community leaders and the public, and provide an opportunity to voice support for Luke AFB and the F-35 mission.  The Governor, both US Senators, every US Congressman from Arizona, 14 mayors from the Valley’s cities and many more have publicly stated their strong support for the F-35 and for its basing at Luke.  If you want to also be heard, I suggest you go to LukeForward.com and register.  It is free.  Today, 11,334 people have registered at that site as supporters of Luke and the F-35.  While that is a sizeable number, now is not the time for “The Silent Majority” to be silent—support statistics will be presented to the Air Force team that will visit the Valley over the coming months to evaluate all the factors, including community support.

Another organization and website I call your attention to is Fighter Country Partnership at FighterCountry.org.  They have been a viable organization for more than a decade, and organization dedicated to the men, women, families and mission of the United States Air Force in Arizona.  Fighter Country partnership has been at the leading edge with mayors and business leaders to ensure a living partnership, including bedding down the F-35.  If you agree that Luke is an important element of the Valley of the Sun, please take a look and be involved—now!

By Lt General John F. Regni, USAF (retired)

1. Jim Cavanaugh – The future of Luke Air Force Base
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER

1. Understanding the real dollar impact of Luke and other military operations in Arizona
2. Jim Cavanaugh – The future of Luke Air Force Base
3. Military base protected from encroachment with new agreement

Today, with more than 150 F-16 aircraft and over 7,000 military and civilian personnel, Luke is a shining star in the mission to train men and women to fly fighters. Not only has Luke survived several rounds of base closings, but it is one of a very small number of Air Force bases nominated as a candidate for bed down of the F-35, the aircraft designed to succeed the 30-year-old F-16.

The F-35 is the future. Luke needs it, and Arizona needs Luke. Why do I believe this?
Read more here

1. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base
2. Luke Air Force Base protected by Governer and Attorney General from encroachment
3. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training

1. Luke Days 2009 Open House Air Show
2. Video: Luke AFB in Arizona may receive F-35 JSF
3. Photos of the ’09 Luke Days Open House Air Show

1. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY RELEASED TODAY FOR F-35 AT LUKE AFB
2. Luke Forward – The F-35 Warplane and Luke Air Force Base
3. F-35 DEIS Update from Luke Forward

Each year, our valued members and corporate partners enable FCP to host many events designed to bring the community and the base closer together. The life of an Airmen and their family often rotates assignments every two years, so commonly a commander will change command of a squadron, group or wing level within 24 months.

FCP supported events ease this transition by having many opportunities for social interaction between the community and the base. Many times this is where new commanders are first introduced to their surrounding communities.

Also annually, Fighter Country Partnership and Fighter Country Foundation volunteers to support events and programs that have been identified as crucial to the care and feeding of Luke Air Force Base personnel, as well as being vital to the education of the surrounding communities. The following are the 2009 Top Ten Events and Programs supported by Fighter Country, our Sponsors and Members.

1. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training
2. Luke community thankful for your support
3. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign