Luke Air Force Base, situated in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area adjacent to Glendale and Litchfield Park, is a cornerstone of Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the largest fighter wing in the United States Air Force. Since its establishment in 1941, Luke AFB has fulfilled a critical mission of training fighter pilots for America and its allies. The base’s location in Arizona provides ideal year-round flying weather and access to extensive training ranges, making it the premier destination for fighter pilot training.

The host unit, the 56th Fighter Wing, carries the motto “Forging the Future of Fighter Airpower.” The wing’s primary mission is to train pilots in both the F-35A Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Luke AFB is home to a massive contingent of these advanced fighter aircraft, and the base’s operations generate a significant number of sorties daily. The wing is not only responsible for training U.S. pilots but also serves as a major training hub for numerous partner nations, fostering international cooperation and interoperability.

Beyond pilot training, the 56th Fighter Wing also trains mission-ready crew chiefs, aircraft maintenance technicians, and support personnel, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals to maintain and support combat air forces worldwide. The base is a city within itself, with a vast infrastructure dedicated to supporting its high-tempo training operations and the thousands of Airmen and families who live and work there.

Personnel and families stationed at Luke AFB are part of the rapidly growing West Valley community, with access to all the amenities of the greater Phoenix area, including professional sports, cultural attractions, and abundant sunshine. The base enjoys strong community support and continues its legacy of excellence, producing the world’s most elite fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.