Luke Air Force Base
Luke Air Force Base | |||||||||
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Glendale, Arizona in the United States of America | |||||||||
Coordinates | 33°32′06″N 112°22′59″W / 33.53500°N 112.38306°W | ||||||||
Type | US Air Force base | ||||||||
Site information | |||||||||
Owner | Department of Defense | ||||||||
Operator | US Air Force | ||||||||
Controlled by | Air Education and Training Command (AETC) | ||||||||
Website | www.luke.af.mil | ||||||||
Site history | |||||||||
Built | 1941 | (as Luke Field)||||||||
Built by | Del E. Webb Construction Company | ||||||||
In use | 1941 – present | ||||||||
Garrison information | |||||||||
Garrison | |||||||||
Airfield information | |||||||||
Identifiers | AMSL | ||||||||
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Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] |
Luke Air Force Base (IATA: LUF, ICAO: KLUF, FAA LID: LUF) is a United States Air Force base in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.[2] It is located 7 miles (6.1 nmi; 11 km) west of the central business district of Glendale, and 15 miles (13 nmi; 24 km) west of Phoenix.
Luke AFB is a major training base of the
It is a designated
History
Frank Luke Jr.
Luke Air Force Base was named after Second Lieutenant Frank Luke (1897–1918). Lt Luke is a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient and the number-two United States flying ace in World War I.[5]
Born in Phoenix in 1897, the "Arizona Balloon Buster" scored 18 aerial victories during World War I (14 of these German observation balloons) in the skies over France. Lieutenant Luke was shot down at Murvaux between Verdun and Stenay, France, on 29 September 1918, after he had destroyed three enemy balloons. Surviving the crash of his SPAD S.XIII, Lieutenant Luke drew two pistols and fired on German soldiers, killing several of them before he was killed.[6]
Luke Field,
Origins
In 1940, the
World War II
During
The base was under the control of the
Although continually modified during the war years, the course of advanced flight training at Luke averaged about 10 weeks and included both flight training and ground school. Around 60 hours of flying instruction covered formation flying, navigation, and instrument flying, as well as a bit of aerial acrobatics. About 20 additional hours of flight practice concentrated on aerial and gunnery training.
Ground school, or classroom training for the advanced flying course, varied from about 100 to 130 hours and was intermingled with flight time in the aircraft. Cadets flew in the morning and attended ground school in the afternoons, or flew training missions in the afternoon after a morning of ground school. At the peak of the training program at Luke, some students were required to attend night classes. Ground school included instruction in navigation, flight planning, radio equipment, maintenance, and weather.
By 7 February 1944, pilots at Luke had achieved a million hours of flying time. By 1946, however, the number of pilots trained dropped to 299 and the base was deactivated 30 November that year.[8]
A World War II film, A Guy Named Joe, included some footage filmed at Luke.[9]
United States Air Force
Air Training Command
Soon after combat started in
The program was to be conducted by the Federalized
Effective 5 March, the 127th was redesignated as the 127th Pilot Training Wing. On 1 November 1952, the active-duty 3600th Flying Training Wing (Fighter), under Commander Charles F. Born, replaced the Air National Guardsmen. ATC flying training squadrons at Luke included:
- 3601st Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 1 November 1952 – 31 December 1957
- 3602d Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 20 November 1952 – 31 December 1957
- 3603d Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 20 November 1952 – 31 December 1957
- 3604th Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 20 November 1952 – 31 December 1957
The 3600th FTW became the dedicated training organization for both USAF and NATO pilots in the F-84. The F-84D began having electrical problems with the hot, dry Arizona air, which dried out the aircraft's electrical insulation. They were replaced by F-84E, and shortly afterwards to the F-84G, which was then in use by SAC. In October 1954, ATC redesignated the 3600th as a "Combat Crew Training Wing" to describe its mission better.
In January 1954, the swept-wing
- 3605th Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 12 May 1954 – 31 December 1957
- 3606th Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 12 May – 13 October 1954
- Redesignated 3607th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 20 October 1954 – 10 June 1957
- 3608th Fighter Interceptor (later Combat Crew Training) Squadron, 12 May 1954 – 31 December 1957
F-84Fs replaced the straight-winged earlier models in the original four squadrons by the end of 1956, giving the wing seven squadrons of 21 aircraft each, or about 150 aircraft; 30 more were received in 1957 as some of the older production blocks were transferred to
For several years, the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project at Sandia Base, New Mexico, had provided all atomic, biological, and chemical (ABC) warfare training for the USAF. Beginning in October 1954, ATC added ABC instruction to its fighter-pilot programs at Luke and Nellis. In addition, ATC established six general ABC courses to train aircrews already in the field, using mobile training teams.
Formation of the USAF Thunderbirds
On 25 May 1953 the 3600th Air Demonstration Team was officially organized and established at Luke, still officially carrying this designation, now known as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. At Luke, the squadron initially operated F-84G Thunderjets, as the aircraft had to be able to show how good training made a typical aircraft easy to handle. The aircraft had to be stable for maneuvers in formation, reliable enough to meet show schedules, and rugged for the demonstration team. In addition, the F-84G was the first fighter in the USAF with aerial refueling capability. To convert the aircraft from combat to demonstration, technicians removed the guns and plugged the gun ports.
In 1955, the USAF selected the swept-wing F-84F Thunderstreak as their second aircraft. The Thunderstreak was modified for the team by adding smoke tanks for the first time, and red, white, and blue drag chutes. In addition, the extreme heat from the lead aircraft, 1,500 °F (820 °C), required moving the slot's radio antenna from the jet's fin. For the first time, a solo was added to the diamond displays, increasing the show time to 19 minutes.
The unit was reassigned to Nellis AFB, Nevada on 23 June 1956.
Tactical Air Command
4510th Combat Crew Training Wing
F-100 Super Sabre era
By the end of 1957, ATC basing structure had changed considerably as the result of tactical commitments, decreased student load, and fund shortages. During 1958, ATC discontinued its Flying Training and Technical Training Air Force. As a result, Luke AFB was transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC). This reassignment came about as the result of a USAF-directed study of the feasibility of putting combat crew training under the appropriate zone of interior operational commands.
With the transfer to TAC, the ATC 3600th FTW was redesignated as the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, and flying training at Luke was changed to the
- 4511th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January 1958 – 1 October 1964 (formerly ATC 3601st CCTW)
- 4512th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January 1958 – 15 October 1969 (formerly ATC 3602d CCTW)
- 4513th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January – 1 November 1958 (formerly ATC 3603d CCTW)
- 4514th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January 1958 – 15 December 1969 (formerly ATC 3604th CCTW)
- 4515th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January 1958 – 18 January 1970 (formerly ATC 3605th CCTW)
- 4516th Combat Crew Training Squadron, 1 January 1958 – 1 April 1970 (formerly ATC 3608th CCTW)
During the 1960s, thousands of American fighter pilots left Luke to fly missions in the skies over Vietnam in the F-100. In July 1968, the first "LA" tail codes were placed on the tails of Luke-based aircraft.[11]
58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing
F-4 Phantom II era
The
The provisional squadrons of the 4510th were redesignated as:
- 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron(formerly 4514th CCTS)
- 311th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron(formerly 4515th CCTS)
- Williams AFB, Arizona)
- 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron (formerly 4515th CCTS)
- 550th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron(formerly 4516th CCTS)
- 69th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron(formerly 4518th CCTS) (F-104G West German training squadron)*
- 418th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron(formerly 4519th CCTS) (F-104G West German training squadron)*
* Assigned to the 58th TFTW with the inactivation of the 4540th Combat Crew Training Group (see below)
Upon activation of the 310th TFTS, the squadron began receiving new
The 425th TFTS was assigned to the 58th as a
In the summer of 1971, the 58th TFTW received
F-15 Eagle era
In November 1974, the Air Force's newest air superiority fighter, the
In June 1976, a second F-15 training squadron was established, with the 4461st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron standing up on 23 June. The assets of the 4461st TFTS were redesignated as
On 25 August 1979, the
The 426th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron converted from
The 461st TFTS received its first
On 1 October 1991, due to the implementation of the Objective Wing at Luke and the "One base, one wing" policy, the 405th TTW was shut down and the F-15s were reassigned back to the 58th TTW. Between 1977 and 1991, Luke AFB had more fighter aircraft than any other base which earned the moniker “Fighter Country,” which was prominently displayed around the base.[12]
In 1993, First Lt.
F-16 Falcon era
The 310th and 311th TFTS retained their F-4Cs until April 1982, ending the Phantom era at Luke, receiving Block 1
- 312th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, activated on 1 October 1984, first F-16C squadron in the Air Force
- 314th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, activated on 1 October 1986, second F-16C squadron in the Air Force
In 1990, Luke AFB was placed on the National Priorities List, often called the superfund list in 1990. After many years of cleanup and remediation, on 22 April, it 2002 became the first USAF base to be removed from the list, after satisfying the requirement to remove pollution dating back as far as World War II.
58th Operations Group
The end of the Cold War in the early 1990s brought significant changes to the base. On 1 October 1991, the 58th Tactical Training Wing adopted the Air Force Objective Organization Plan, and was redesignated simply as the 58th Fighter Wing (58 FW). All operational fighter training squadrons were reassigned to the new 58th Operations Group (58 OG). Training units also redesignated as "fighter squadrons". Units assigned to the 58 OG were:
- 310th Fighter Squadron, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
- 311th Fighter Squadron, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
- 312th Fighter Squadron, inactivated, aircraft to 310th, 311th, 314th FS
- 314th Fighter Squadron, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon
- 461st Fighter Squadron, F-15E Strike Eagle (reassigned back from 405th FW, 1 October 1991)
- 550th Fighter Squadron, F-15E Strike Eagle (reassigned back from 405th FW, 1 October 1991)
- 555th Fighter Squadron, F-15C/D Eagle (reassigned back from 405th FW, 1 October 1991)
In 1991, the
In addition, the 58th Fighter Wing was inactivated and moved to
On 1 June 1992, Tactical Air Command was inactivated, and the new Air Combat Command (ACC) replaced it, assuming jurisdiction of Luke AFB.
On 30 December 1992, the 425th Fighter Squadron was activated at Luke AFB. The mission of the 425th was to provide advanced weapons and tactics continuation for Republic of Singapore Air Force's F-16 pilots and maintenance personnel. Aircraft had already arrived for the squadron in October and shortly after in the new year, pilot training began in January 1993.
Air Education and Training Command
On 1 April 1994, after 24 years at Luke AFB, the 58th Fighter Wing was replaced by the
The transfer of Luke to AETC gave the command front-line aircraft, bases, and facilities that could be used for realistic operational training. With the return of AETC to Luke, producing a task-certified or more mission-ready apprentice became possible, and operational units could reduce the amount of on-the-job training provided to new airmen.
Within a year, the wing realignment to make the 56 OG an exclusive F-16 group took place. The 555th Fighter Squadron was reassigned to
F-15 training ended with the last "LA" tail coded F-15 (Luke Arizona) leaving on 26 September 1995, when the 550th Fighter Squadron inactivated, 21 years after the first TF-15A arrived at Luke.
With the transfer of the Eagles, additional F-16 training units were assigned to the 56 OG, all tail-coded "LF" (Luke Falcons):
- 61st Fighter Squadron, 1 April 1994 (formerly at MacDill AFB)
- 62d Fighter Squadron, 18 March 1994 (formerly at MacDill AFB)
- 63d Fighter Squadron, 1 April 1994 (formerly at MacDill AFB)
- 308th Fighter Squadron, reassigned from 58th OG
- 309th Fighter Squadron, reassigned from 58th OG
- 310th Fighter Squadron, reassigned from 58th OG
- 425th Fighter Squadron, reassigned from 58th OG (joint USAF-RSAF unit)
The 21st Fighter Squadron was activated on 8 August 1996 to train Taiwanese Republic of China Air Force F-16A/B crews at Luke AFB. Empty hangars were refurbished and aircrews were pulled in from other units on base. By January 1997, several ROCAF F-16A/B block 20s had been delivered and the first training flights began for their crews. Despite being A/B models, the aircraft were new construction from General Dynamics, with modern avionics and engines, and were considered to be more advanced than the F-16C/Ds being flown from Luke AFB. The aircraft carry USAF markings and serial numbers, and also the "LF" tail code.
On 20 September 1999, an F-16D crashed at Luke AFB, marking the 56th Fighter Wing's seventh class-A mishap in FY '99. In all cases, the pilots ejected safely. Engine problems caused most of the mishaps. The 56th Fighter Wing commander, Brig. Gen. John Barry, grounded the wing's F-16s after the second mishap. Maintenance personnel discovered that engine augmentor ducts had failed in both cases. They developed a new inspection procedure to identify cracks, which was subsequently used throughout the Air Force. A manufacturing defect in turbine blades was responsible for many of the mishaps, and General Barry grounded the fleet a second time to allow maintainers to upgrade the turbine blades, which improved safety.
On 8 March 2000, the 50,000th fighter pilot had graduated from Luke AFB, Arizona, since the Army Air Forces started training at this location in July 1941.
After the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, Luke suspended routine flight-training operations, as the
On March 28, 2001, Arizona governor Jane Dee Hull signed new legislation to protect military airfields, such as Luke Air Force Base, in Arizona. The law was one of the first by any state created to protect military airfields.[13] It called for compatible use of the land around the airfields. Arizona later created other legislation to further increase the protections of Air Force bases in the state, especially Luke. Later that same year, in June the base’s new $3.8-million control tower went into operation.[14]
In 2002, the 56th Fighter Wing became responsible for the nearby Barry M. Goldwater Training Range, and was concerned that urban development near the base would curtail flight training if left unchecked.[15] In addition, the munitions storage area (MSA) stood outside of the base compound, adding a burden to the Security Forces Squadron. In October 2002, Senator John McCain of Arizona shepherded a MILCON funding insert of $13 million to purchase 273 acres (1.10 km2) needed to incorporate the MSA into the base perimeter and to acquire additional land to preserve access to the Goldwater Range.
BRAC 2005 directed that the older Block 25 F-16s be sent to Air National Guard units; this change reduced the number of fighter squadrons, with the 61st and 63d Fighter Squadrons inactivating in 2009 and 2010.
In 2005, the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base was the largest fighter unit in the world. This unit was made up of eight fighter squadrons (21st, 61st, 62nd, 63rd, 308th, 309th, 310th and 425th) which used an air fleet of 189 F-16 Fighter Falcons.[16]
Air Defense Command
In 1959,
Air Force Reserve
For many years, the 302d operated a variety of air-rescue helicopters from the base, training for and performing search-and-rescue missions, in addition to some medical air-evacuation missions. In 1974, its mission changed to training for the combat search and rescue role, while continuing to perform some search and rescue.
The squadron's mission changed again, in 1987, to a fighter role as the 302d Tactical Fighter Squadron, being assigned to the AFRES (now
The 69th Fighter Squadron was activated at Luke on 1 February 2010, equipped with block 42 F-16Cs, tail code "LF", with the 69th FS carrying a black tail band. The 69th had formerly been assigned to Luke as an active-duty squadron from 1969–1983, flying Lockheed F-104G Starfighters training pilots from the West German Air Force.
West German Air Force training at Luke
From 1957 to 1965, 830 pilots from the
On 4 April 1963, the USAF and the
The host 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing at Luke was tasked with providing the advanced flying training. On 20 February 1964, the 4540th Combat Crew Training Group (CCTG) was organized and designated to conduct GAF training at Luke. The group was activated on 1 April. Prior to designating the 4540th CCTG, the 4518th Combat Crew Training Squadron was activated on 1 March 1964 and was reassigned to the 4540th CCTG upon the later's activation. A second squadron, the 4519th Combat Crew Training Squadron, was assigned to the group, effective 1 July 1964. The German unit was named "2. Deutsche Luftwaffen-Ausbildungsstaffel F-104 USA (2. DtLwAusbStff F-104 USA)" (2nd German Air Force Training Squadron F-104 USA). Although remaining German property, the Starfighters carried USAF insignia and were assigned American serial numbers.
By mid-July 1964, 23 TF-104G and 12 F-104G were assigned to Luke. On 26 August 1964, 14 USAF F-104 instructor pilots graduated in the second class conducted at Luke. With a sufficient number of aircraft and instructor pilots, preparations were on target to receive the first advanced training class scheduled for October 1964. Aircraft inventories at Luke peaked in 1967 and 1968. In 1967, 100 aircraft were assigned, 62 F-104G and 38 TF-104G. The total increased to 102 in 1968, 61 F-104G models and 41 TF-104G models.
By 1975, a decrease in training requirements was accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the fleet size. The two squadrons were consolidated in 1976 with the 418th TFTS inactivating on 1 October 1976. Also, a storage program was started to preserve the lifespan of the aircraft. As of 30 September 1975, some 13 aircraft were in flyable storage. Training of West German Air Force pilots in the F-104G continued until late 1982. The Germans flew more than 900 Starfighters totaling in excess of 269,750 hours and produced 1,868 F-104 pilots. The 69th TFTS inactivated on 16 March 1983.
A third F-104G squadron at Luke, the 4443d Combat Crew Training Squadron, differed from the West German squadrons in that it was associated with the Military Assistance Program (MAP) with students from
Previous names
- Litchfield Park Air Base, c. 15 February 1941
- Luke Field, 6 June 1941
- Luke Air Force Base, 10 June 1949
Major commands to which assigned
- West Coast Air Corps Training Center, 3 July 1941 – 23 January 1942
- Air Corps Flying Training Command, 23 January – 15 March 1942
- AAF Flying Training Command, 15 March 1942 – 31 July 1943
- AAF Training Command, 31 July 1943 – 1 July 1946
- Air Training Command, 1 July – December 1946; 1 January 1951 – 1 July 1958
- Tactical Air Command, 1 July 1958 – 1 June 1992
- Air Combat Command, 1 June 1992 – 1 July 1993
- Air Education and Training Command, 1 July 1993–present
The facility was placed on temporary reduced activity status on 6 July 1946, and was temporarily inactivated on 31 October 1946. It became a subinstallation of Williams Air Force Base, Arizona, from 3 December 1946 to 5 March 1951. It was removed from inactive status and placed on active status on 1 January 1951.
Major units assigned
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Note: * Operated DC-21 ADCOM/ADTAC SAGE blockhouse
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3600th Flying Training Wing
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4510th Combat Crew Training Group
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File:58th Tactical Training Wing
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Phoenix Air Defense Sector
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26th Air Division
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27th Air Division
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832d Air Division
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944th Fighter Wing (AFRC)
Role and operations
The base population includes about 7,500 military members and 15,000 family members. With about 80,000 retired military members living in greater Phoenix, the base services a total population of more than 100,000 people.
F-16 Fighting Falcon operations
The host unit, the 56th Fighter Wing, is tasked to train F-35 and F-16 fighter pilots and maintainers. Historically, the wing graduated more than 400 F-16 pilots and 470 crew chiefs annually. The 56th FW is composed of four groups, 27 squadrons, including six training squadrons. There are several tenant units on base, including the
In addition to flying and maintaining the F-16, Luke airmen also deploy to support on-going operations in
The 56th Operations Group (OG) has operational control and responsibility for the entire fighter-training mission at Luke. It has the tail code: "LF". It comprises:
- 61st Fighter Squadron ("Top Dogs", 1st F-35 Lightning II squadron on base, re-activated October 2013)
- 62d Fighter Squadron("Spikes", 2nd F-35 squadron on base, re-activated June 2015)
- 63d Fighter Squadron("Panthers", 3rd F-35 squadron on base, re-activated August 2016)
- 308th Fighter Squadron ("Emerald Knights", 4th F-35 squadron on base, re-activated December 2018)
- 309th Fighter Squadron ("Wild Ducks", tailband: blue & white)
- 310th Fighter Squadron ("Top Hats", tailband: green & yellow)
- 425th Fighter Squadron ("Black Widows", tailband: red & black)
- 607th Air Control Squadron "Rattlers"
- 56th Operations Support Squadron "Wizards"
- 56th Training Squadron
The 56th Maintenance Group (MXG) provides aircraft maintenance on more than 79 F-16s and 29 F-35s, for the Air Force's only active duty F-16 and F-35 training wing. The 56th Mission Support Group (MSG) sustains the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II, provides for the community, and delivers responsive combat support. The 56th Medical Group (MDG) is an outpatient only Medical Treatment Facility, which serves more than 84,000 beneficiaries in the Phoenix area.
The
Public reception
The public has been more accommodating to the military operations at Luke Air Force base compared to other Arizona installations like the
Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range
An integral part of Luke's F-16 fighter pilot training mission is the
Since June 2012, Luke AFB has been the permanent home of
Based units
Flying and notable non-flying units based at Luke Air Force Base.[18][19][20][21]
Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Luke, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location.
United States Air Force
Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
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Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC)
Air National Guard (ANG)
United States MarinesUS Marine Corps Forces Reserve
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See also
- Arizona World War II Army Airfields
- List of United States Air Force installations
- United States general surveillance radar stations
References
- ^ "Airport Data – (LUF) Luke AFB". Federal Aviation Administration. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
- PDF, effective 20 December 2007
- ^ Additional F-35s coming to Luke AFB – Af.mil, 16 July 2013
- ^ a b Griset, R. (2020). Luke Air Force Base. Arcadia Publishing.
- ^ Nothaft, Mark (21 June 2017). "Who is Luke Air Force Base named after?". AZcentral. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
- ^ "Luke Air Force Base - Lt. Frank Luke, Jr". 944th Fighter Wing. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Ford Island/Luke Field". aviation.hawaii.gov. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ a b c "Luke Air Force Base - History". 944th Fighter Wing. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ A Guy Named Joe (1943) - Filming & production - filming locations, retrieved 30 June 2023
- ^ Griset, R. Luke Air Force base. Arcadia Publishing, 2020. p. 37.
- ^ Griset, Rick (30 September 2021). "56th Fighter Wing and Luke Field/Air Force Base Heritage Pamphlet 1940-2021" (PDF). 56th Fighter Wing: 20–30.
- ^ Griset, R. (2020). Luke Air Force Base. Arcadia Publishing. p. 111.
- ^ Griset, R. (2020). Luke Air Force Base. Arcadia Publishing. p. 144.
- ^ Griset, R. (2020). Luke Air Force Base. Arcadia Publishing. p. 143.
- ^ a b "Barry M. Goldwater Range". 944th Fighter Wing. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ Griset, R. (2020). Luke Air Force Base. Arcadia Publishing. p. 141.
- ^ Jim Poulin (31 July 2015). "Arizona military sites may be protected by expanded public land management". Phoenix Business Journal (AZ). Retrieved 1 August 2015.
- ^ "Aircraft and Squadrons of the US Air Force". United States Air Force Air Power Review 2018. Key Publishing: 90 and 92. 2018.
- ^ "Units". Luke AFB. US Air Force. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ Moeder, Airman Brooke (31 May 2019). "Marines call Air Force base home". Luke Air Force Base. 56 Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ Cox, Airman 1st Class Zoie (21 June 2019). "NOSC Phoenix offers unique support to Sailors". Luke Air Force Base. 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
Other sources
- This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Donald, David (2004). Century Jets: USAF Frontline Fighters of the Cold War. AIRtime. ISBN 1880588684
- Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas.
- Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
- McLaren, David. Republic F-84 Thunderjet, Thunderstreak & Thunderflash: A Photo Chronicle. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1998. ISBN 0764304445.
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982. USAF Reference Series, Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799536
- Peake, William R, (2005), McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II: Production and Operational Data, Midland Pub Ltd, ISBN 978-1857801903
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947–1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
- USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers – 1908 to present
- Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1857801970.
- Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites, History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC. OCLC 57007862, 1050653629
- A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization 1946–1980, by Lloyd H. Cornett and Mildred W. Johnson, Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado
- Winkler, David F. (1997), Searching the skies: the legacy of the United States Cold War defense radar program. Prepared for United States Air Force Headquarters Air Combat Command.
- Information for Luke AFB, AZ
External links
- Official website
- Thunderbolt – base newspaper
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective April 18, 2024
- FAA Terminal Procedures for LUF, effective April 18, 2024
- Resources for this U.S. military airport:
- FAA airport information for LUF
- AirNav airport information for KLUF
- ASN accident history for LUF
- NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KLUF