Luke Air Force Base designated home to Air Force's F-35 training center

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Luke AFB to Welcome F-35 Training Center  

 

            “This is a proud day for Arizona, as the United States Department of Defense has officially announced Luke Air Force Base as the designated location for the Air Force’s new F-35 training center.

 

            “With this welcome and long-awaited news, Luke AFB will be home to the F-35A Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter) training mission. The base will initially receive three squadrons – totaling 72 next-generation aircraft. The DOD announcement also allows for the potential of Luke AFB to receive up to three additional squadrons of F-35’s over time as F-16’s are gradually retired from the Air Force.

 

            “Luke AFB is the largest active-duty F-16 training base in the world. But with the Air Force scheduled to phase-out and retire the F-16 between now and 2025, it was critical that Luke AFB receive this critical assignment for the F-16’s replacement: the F-35.

 

“Today’s announcement not only ensures Arizona will continue to play a leading role in our nation’s security and defense, it also helps assure the long-term viability of Luke AFB and its status as a critical driver of jobs and local economic development. The base alone generates more than $2 billion in statewide economic impact every year, and its designation as a training center for the F-35 is expected to create more than $100 million in immediate federal investment. That’s good news for the thousands of Arizona civilians and businesses that will benefit from the additional jobs, wages, consumer spending and tourism dollars that will be generated as a result of the F-35 basing.

 

            “Over the last 70 years, Luke AFB has trained and graduated more than 56,000 of the finest fighter pilots this world has ever known. The selection of Luke AFB for the F-35 mission is a testament not only to the reputation of the base, but also to the dedicated and unified support of public officials, business leaders, local communities and regular Arizonans all across our great state. Thank you. This day would not have been possible without your efforts.”