Luke AFB hosts Purple Up parade
Classroom Leaders Meet Luke AFB’s Finest
D-Backs go Purple for military kids
Luke unveils Fiesta Bowl field
Steps Towards a Healthier You: Embracing a Journey of Wellness
Luke Fighters Soar Over Gila Bend
In the Wild Blue Yonder: Luke AFB jets in flight
AFETS personnel essential to Luke AFB’s mission
Fifth F-35 squadron activates at Luke AFB
Spikes train with Oregon Eagles
- (BETA) Public Affairs Request Online Portal
Submit your request for PA support online. This system is currently in testing. - 833 PA Workorder/Self Help Camera Please email 833 to photo@us.af.mil
-Tour Request Please email Tour Request to 56fw.pa@us.af.mil
- Speaker/Volunteer Request Please email Speaker/Volunteer Request to 56fw.pa@us.af.mil
- Marquee Request Please email Marquee Request to 56fw.pa@us.af.mil
- To schedule a studio appointment for an official photo please call (623) 856-6168 or e-mail the PA org box at photo@us.af.mil.
- Studio appointments must be scheduled 24 hours prior to appointment time.
When e-mailing the org box please include the day/time and photo type (head and shoulders or full length photo) in your request.
-Head and shoulder studio photos are scheduled in 30 minute increments from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Mondays.
- Full length studio photos are scheduled in 1 hour increments from 9 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., Fridays only.
- Flyover & Static Display requests can be made here:
https://www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil All requests must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event
PHONE NUMBER QUICK REFERENCE LIST
DO NOT DISCUSS CLASSIFIED INFORMATION ON UNSECURE TELEPHONES. OFFICIAL DOD TELEPHONES ARE SUBJECT TO MONITORING FOR COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY PURPOSES AT ALL TIMES.
LUKE AFB PREFIX – 623-856-XXXX
Airfield Operations – 623-856-7131
Airman Family Readiness Ctr - 623-856-6550
Armed Forces Bank - 623-535-9766
BARBER SHOPS
Base Exchange Main Store - 623-935-2671
Base Photo Services - 623-856-6168
Base Taxi - 623-856-6866
Balfour (Family Housing) - 623-388-3515
Chaplain - 623-856-6211
Community Chapel - 623-856-6211
Chapel (After Duty Hours) - 623-856-5600
Charley’s (Food Court) - 623-935-4029
Child Development Center - 623-856-6338
Civilian Pay - 623-856-7028
Civilian Personnel - 623-856-2120
56TH MEDICAL GROUP CLINIC SERVICES--
Club 56 - 623-856-6446
Comm Focal Point - 623-856-4400
Command Post - 623-856-5600
Commissary Store - 623-935-3821
Community Center - 623-856-7152
Credit Union West - 602-631-3200
Crime Stop - 623-856-6666
Customer Service, FSS - 623-856-7875
Dining Facility - 623-856-6396
Dorm Management - 623-856-7841
Education Center - 623-856-7722
Equal Opportunity - 623-856-7711
Family Readiness - 623-856-6550
Finger Prints – 623-856-5981
Fire Chief - 623-856-7424
Fire Station - 623-856-6641
Firestone Car Care Ctr - 623-271-8104
Fitness Center - 623-856-6241
Focus Work/Base Supply Center - 623-535-8003
GNC - 623-535-9661
Golf Course - 623-535-9334
HOBBY SHOPS
Honor Guard - 623-856-7240
Housing Facilities Sec - 623-856-3515
Housing Maintenance - 623-935-2676
ID Cards - 623-856-7875
Legal Assistance - 623-856-6901
Library - 623-856-7191
Lodging Office/Switchboard - 623-856-3941
Maintenance Control Center - 623-856-5469
Marketing – 623-856-3245
Marine Corps - 623-856-2439
Military Pay - 623-856-7028
Navy Op Support Ctr - 602-353-3008
OSI - 623-856-6821
Outdoor Recreation - 623-856-6267
Popeye’s (BX Food Court) - 623-935-4029
Post Office - 623-935-1343
Public Affairs Office - 623-856-6011
Recycling Info - 623-856-4749
Safety - 623-856-6941
SAPR 24/7 hotline - 623-856-4878
Security Forces (BDOC) - 623-856-6322
Security Incidents - 623-856-7777
Service Calls - CE Maint. - 623-856-7232
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
Shoppette - 623-266-0040
Starbucks (BX Food Court) - 623-935-2671, ext 1081
Ticket/Tour Office - 623-856-6000
(TMO) Household Goods - 623-856-6425
(TMO) Passenger Travel - 623-856-7035
Transient Alert - 623-856-6204
Travel Pay - 623-856-7028
Veterinary Clinic - 623-856-6354
Visitor Reception Ctr, South Gate - 623-856-4759
Weather - 623-856-6805
Youth Center - 623-856-7470
Flyover approval process notes for requestors
In order to request an aircraft flyover requestors must complete a DD Form 2535. This form is generated on https://www.airshows.pa.hq.af.mil/PublicSite/Index.cfm?fwa=home by selecting the “new request” button.
Important note: The requestor is responsible for ensuring the 2535 is completed. Public Affairs Offices and Operational Groups can assist requestors filling out the form, but must ensure that units aren’t requesting flyovers of their own assets.
Key parts of the DD Form 2535
Requests should be completed no later than 30 days in advance of the event. Incomplete forms and requests will not be considered. Headquarters Air Force determines whether the event is eligible for support.
If you have questions/need help with the form for a request in the Phoenix metro area you can contact 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs at 623-856-6011. It is important to note that once a request is submitted it is open to all units in the local area, so the flyover may not necessarily be out of Luke Air Force Base, but the Luke Air Force Base team can assist with the paperwork for events in this area.
LOCATION:
Building 1150, Room 1181
Luke Air Force Base, Arizona
Telephone: (623) 856-3923/6827
Fax: (623) 856-4559
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
MAILING ADDRESS:
56 FW/CVR
Retiree Activities Office
7383 N. Litchfield Rd
Luke AFB, AZ 85309
EMAIL:
RAO@us.af.mil
Social Security Administration
http://www.ssa.gov/
Veterans Administration
http://www.va.gov/
Medicaid-Medicare
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/
TRICARE Healthcare
http://www.tricare.mil/
Long Term Care Info
http://www.ltcfeds.com/
Defense Finance & Accounting Service
http://www.dod.mil/dfas/
Air Force Personnel Center
http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/
Send requests for 56th Fighter Wing records to:
FOIA requests must include a willingness to pay fees associated with the
processing of your request or, in the alternative, why a waiver of fees may
be appropriate. Requests must have a mailing address included since it may
not be practical to provide a substantive response electronically. Any
questions may be directed to
56FW.FOIA.PA@US.AF.MIL
Flight Path Lines
Noise Fact Sheet
Environmental Commitment Statement
2019 Annual Water Quality Report
2020 Annual Water Quality Report
2021 Annual Water Quality Report
2022 Annual Water Quality Report
Travel Reduction Program
Water Conservation
Environmental Assessments for IDP Projects
Environmental Assessments Appendix
Environmental Assessment FONSI
Environmental Management AFI32-7001
PFOS-PFOA briefing City of Litchfield
- North Gate: Monday - Friday from 0600L - 0800L (Entry & Exit) and 1445L - 1700L (Exit only). The North Gate remains closed on Saturday and Sunday.
- Lightning Gate: Monday - Sunday from 0500L-2100L
- Lightning Gate Visitors Center: Monday - Friday from 0700-1600, Saturday - Sunday from 0800-1300.
Visitor Passes may be obtained outside of the operating hours of the Visitor's Center 0700-1600. The passes will be processed by the on-duty Airmen and may be delayed depending upon the circumstances. We occasionally experience outages with our systems resulting in longer wait times. They can also be reached at 623-856-4993.
- Kachina Gate: Closed
- South Gate: 24/7
Directions to Luke AFB
From I-10: Take exit #128 and proceed North approximately 5 miles to Luke AFB.
From Arizona State Route 303: Take the Northern Parkway exit 110B and proceed approximately 3.5 miles to the Litchfield road exit. Turn Right onto Litchfield road (South) and proceed to Luke AFB.
From Arizona State Route 101: Take the Glendale Road exit and head West approximately 5.8 miles to Litchfield Road. Turn either left (South) to go to the South Gate or right (North) to go to the Lightning Gate.
RV Access to Luke AFB
Authorized ID card holders with base access may enter through either the South Gate (open 24 hours) located on Litchfield South of Glendale Avenue or the Lightning Gate (open 0500-2100 daily) located on Litchfield Road North of Glendale Avenue. After you enter either gate, follow the FamCamp signs that lead you right to the FamCamp location on Thunderbird Street.
Visitor Passes
If you need to sponsor a family member or other guest onto Luke AFB, you will need to go to the Lightning Gate Visitor’s Center (Phone # 623-856-4991/4993). Their hours of operation are: Mon-Fri 0700-1700hrs and Sat & Sun 0800-1300hrs. **During non-operational Visitor’s Center hours, passes are available at either the South or Lightning gate.
LUKE AFB VOTING ASSISTANCE OFFICE
Military & Family Readiness Center
7282 N. 137th Ave, Bldg 1113
Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309
Telephone:
DSN: 896-6550
Comm: 623-856-6550
E-mail:
56FW.Voting.Assistance@us.af.mil
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 4:30 pm (excluding federal holidays)
The Luke AFB Voting Office is here to assist you with your voting needs.
Contact your Voting Assistance representatives at 623-856-6550
Federal Voting Assistance website:
www.FVAP.gov
Air Force Voting Assistance website:
http://www.fvap.gov/military-voter/services/air-force
2024 Primary Voting Calendar:
https://www.fvap.gov/vao/vag/appendix/state-elections
Voting Assistance Guide:
https://www.fvap.gov/vao/vag
TMO Contact Information
Household Goods Information
Logging into DPS Creating a DPS profile and entering orders information How to create a HHG shipment How to create a DITY move Household Goods Frequently Asked Questions Household Goods Shipment Tri-Fold How to File a Claim in DPS Non-Temperary Storage Tri-Fold Personally Procured Move (DITY) Tri-Fold Professional Books, Papers and Equipment (Pro Gear) Un-Accompanied Baggage Information (Tri-Fold) Weight Entitlements Weight Scale Locations
Privately Owned Vehicles Information
POV Frequently Asked Questions POV Port Locations POV Turn In Procedures Shipping Your POV, Part IV Attachment K3
Passenger Travel Information
Passenger Travel Frequently Asked Questions Pet Travel Port Call Sheet Taking Leave Enroute
21st Fighter Squadron
56th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron
56th Civil Engineer Squadron
56th Communications Squadron
56th Component Maintenance Squadron
56th Comptroller Squadron
56th Contracting Squadron
56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron
56th Force Support Squadron
56th Logistics Readiness Squadron
56th Maintenance Group
56th Medical Group
56th Medical Support Squadron
56th Mission Support Group
56th Operations Group
56th Operations Support Squadron
62d Fighter Squadron
63 Fighter Squadron
308th Fighter Squadron
309th Fighter Squadron
310th Fighter Squadron
425th Fighter Squadron
550th Fighter Squadron
607th Air Control Squadron
756th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Luke Heritage Pamphlet 1941-2021 (expanded)
Luke Air Force Base, located 20 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix, Ariz., was named for 2nd Lt. Frank Luke, Jr., a Phoenix native and World War I pilot.
Construction of an Army Air Corps advanced training facility for fighter pilots began in March 1941.
The facility officially became Luke Field in June 1941, when 45 students of class 41F arrived for training in the AT-6. The class graduated Aug. 15, 1941.
During WWII, Luke produced 17,231 graduates from advanced single-engine and fighter- training programs.
Student pilots progressed from the AT‑6 trainer to the P-40, practicing aerial combat over the Ajo Auxiliary Airfield, later known as the Gila Bend Gunnery Range and renamed in March 1987 as the Barry M. Goldwater Air Force Range. By the time the base closed Nov. 30, 1946, pilot production had dropped to only 299 pilots that year.
Reactivated as Luke Air Force Base under Air Training Command Feb. 1, 1951, the base became home to the 127th Pilot Training Wing, which flew F-84 jet fighters. The 127th PTW was defederalized and the 3600th Flying Training Wing was activated as the Luke host wing Nov. 1, 1952. When Luke was transferred to Tactical Air Command on July 1, 1958, the parent wing became the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing
Between 1969 and 1980, Luke saw many changes in designation of the host unit, although the primary mission of training fighter pilots for the combat Air Force remained. Overseeing the mission were the 58th Tactical Fighter Training Wing, 405th Tactical Training Wing and the 832nd Air Division.
Under a major Air Force reorganization program, the 832nd AD and the 405th TTW were inactivated Oct. 1, 1991, and the redesignated 58th Fighter Wing once again became Luke’s host unit,
In order to preserve the most historic units and maintain Air Force legacy during the draw- down, the 58th FW was reassigned to Kirtland AFB, N.M., and the 56th Fighter Wing transferred to Luke from MacDill AFB, Florida., on April 1, 1994. During World War II, the 56th destroyed more enemy aircraft and produced more aces than any other unit in the 8th Air Force.
The 56th FW trains pilots in the F‑35A Lightning II and the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
Since 1941, Luke has produced over 59,000 graduates from fighter training programs for the US and its allies and is truly: “Fighter Country.”
Tenant units at Luke include the Air Force Reserve’s 944th Fighter Wing, which provides F-16 and F-35 qualification training.
History
The F-16 is built under an agreement between the United States and four NATO countries. These countries jointly produced an initial 348 F-16s for their air forces. The consortium’s F-16s are assembled from components manufactured in all five countries. The long-term benefits of this program include technology transfer among the nations and a common-use aircraft for the NATO nations.
USAF F-16 multi-mission fighters were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm, where more sorties were flown than with any other aircraft. These fighters were used to attack airfields, military production facilities, Scud missile sites and a variety of other targets.
Luke’s Aircraft
This F-16 Fighting Falcon symbolizes the F-16 fighter training program which began at Luke in 1982. 1st Lt. Brice Simpson, whose name appears on the aircraft, represents all the men and women who flew the jet here, as well as those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Simpson began training at Luke in late 1997 and graduated in April 1998. He was then assigned to Misawa Air Base, Japan, where he was involved in an aircraft accident. He died in September 1998. Staff Sgt. Mark D. DeBord, whose name is also on the aircraft, represents all the technicians who maintained the aircraft at Luke. DeBord’s expertise as an F-16 crew chief was recognized when he was named Air Education and Training Command’s 1997 Crew Chief of the Year.
The F-16 display is located one block west of the Air Park. The area has no parking for buses so it is recommended to walk from the Air Park. If necessary, the bus can be parked in the parking lot to the southeast of the display.
Below is a layout of the small park that houses the F-16A Falcon. The semi-circle path in front of the jet are the state flags with the American Flag in the center.
Luke’s first assigned aircraft, the AT-6 Texan, holds the record for most copies built and widest use of any military trainer in history. After the first flight of the prototype in 1938, more than 17,000 rolled off the assembly line. They soldiered on in USAF service into the 1950s. The last one left Luke in 1953 after more than 14,000 pilots had earned their wings in them. World War II aviation cadets will never forget the gosport, a tube connecting the two pilot positions through which the instructor could shout instructions. Armed with one for- ward-firing .30 caliber machine gun, it provided advanced training for cadets heading for fighters and attack aircraft. Some were still flying in 1993 with foreign air forces.
This AT-6 Texan commemorates the 1941 through 1946 AT-6 advanced single-engine flying training program at Luke. 2nd Lt. Charles H. Cole Jr., whose name appears on the aircraft, symbolizes all the pilots who flew the AT-6. He earned his wings in 1942 in the AT‑6 Texan. Cole went on to attain ace status during World War II when he destroyed five enemy aircraft. He retired as a USAF lieutenant colonel and lived in the local area until his death in 2003. Staff Sgt. Bob Klimczak, whose name also appears on the aircraft, symbolizes all the crew chiefs who maintained the AT-6. Klimczak was the crew chief for Cole’s aircraft.
The Medal of Honor is the highest U.S. military decoration awarded to individuals who, while serving in the U.S. armed forces, have distinguished themselves by conspicuous gallantry and courage at the risk of life, above and beyond the call of duty. Each decoration awarded represents an incontestable act of bravery or self-sacrifice involving obvious risk of life. The President of the United States presents the award in the name of Congress. The individuals listed on the Medal of Honor Memorial at Luke called Arizona home.
In World War I, 2nd Lt. Frank Luke Jr. shot down 18 enemy aircraft during nine combat missions in his SPAD 13. Eddie Rickenbacker, America’s top ace in World War I with 26 enemy aircraft shot down, and René Fonck, France’s leading ace with 75 victories, also flew SPAD 13s.
One of the best qualities of the nimble little fighter was its ability to dive faster than all allied or German aircraft. Its sturdy, robust construction alleviated pilots’ fears of the wings breaking off or the wing covering stripping.
The two-thirds scale model of the SPAD 13 in the air park’s center is made entirely of copper tubing. Retired Master Sgt. D.G. “Lucky” Styles and Staff Sgt. William Harrick Jr. built it as a tribute to Luke in 1992
Of the many nicknames the North American F-86 Sabre earned in its long career, the “MiG Killer” gives the best idea of its success as a fighter. This classic swept-wing jet was originally designed as a straight wing carrier plane for the U.S. Navy. The Sabre flew as a prototype (XP-86) in 1947 and the F-86A variant entered USAF service in February 1949. It was the first production jet aircraft to fly supersonic in a dive. Although slightly under powered compared to its chief rival, the Russian MiG-15, its maneuverability, steadiness and better pilots achieved a 14-to-1 ratio over the North Korean aircraft.
The Sabre served in more than two dozen air forces and was manufactured continuously for 13 years with 8,732 being built. An upgraded model, the F-86F, had a more powerful engine and modifications which improved its handling and capabilities. Eventually, 2,500 F
-86Fs were made. With the F-86F, the 4517th Combat Training Squadron at Luke produced more than 100 graduates for foreign air forces and National Guard units from 1960 to 1962.
This F-86 displays the colors of the 62nd Fighter Squadron, which is currently assigned to Luke and flew the Sabre. 1st Lt. Charles Goodwin, whose name appears on the aircraft, was a F-86 instructor pilot at Luke. He went on to become the inspector general here. Airman 2nd Class George Logan, whose name also appears on the aircraft, was Goodwin’s crew chief.
In 1952, Kelly Johnson and Lockheed’s chief engineer, who later designed the SR-71, began work on a Mach 2 fighter-interceptor.
In February 1954, the XF-104 made its first test flight and production began for almost 200 U.S. F-104s. The small (less than 22 feet), thin wings (less than 2 inches thick) were ideal for supersonic flight; however, they also forced F-104 pilots to land at high speeds (around 200 miles per hour).
In response to West German needs for a modern fighter-bomber, Lockheed strengthened the aircraft structure and installed a more powerful engine and better avionics. The first of 96 Luftwaffe F-104Gs flew in 1960.
The F-104Gs at Luke were owned by Germany, but under USAF control. More than 2,200 F‑104 pilots graduated from 1964 to 1983 in this unique USAF-German training program.
Lockheed sold more than 1,500 F-104s, which flew in more than 15 air forces throughout the world. In 1992, the F-104 was still flying as a frontline fighter in both Italy and Turkey.
This jet is actually tail number is 56-892, but is displayed as 13243 because that aircraft was as- signed to Luke. Maj. Gary Blake, whose name is on the aircraft, served as an instructor pilot for Luke in the F-104 from 1966 to 1967, and again from 1968 to 1972. He went on to log 2,960 hours in the cockpit of the F-104 starfighter. Ben McAvoy, whose name also appears on the air- craft, represents the many civilian-contract crew chiefs who worked on the F-104.
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, or T-Bird, was derived from Kelly Johnson’s F-80, the first U.S. jet fighter used in combat (in the Korean War). The F-80 went from the drawing board to its first flight in only 180 days.
The aircraft’s actual tail number is 58-0495, but is displayed as 80745 because that aircraft was actually assigned to Luke. 2nd Lt. Ira L. Kimes Jr., whose name appears on the aircraft, symbol- izes all the pilots who flew the T-33. Kimes flew more than 100 combat missions in the F-80 fighter version during the Korean Conflict. He also flew the T-33 at Luke and went on to become the 58th Combat Support Group commander here from 1975 to 1978. Sgt. Bill Mergo, whose name appears on the aircraft, symbolizes the technicians who maintained the T-33. Mergo was Kimes’ crew chief.
To adapt the jet as a trainer, Lockheed stretched the fuselage of the F-80 29 inches to allow for a rear seat. Lockheed also replaced the armament with all-weather navigational equipment. After the T-33’s first flight in 1948, Lockheed built more than 5,600 Shooting Stars for the USAF and 40 other countries. It served as a lead-in trainer for F-84F and F-100 fighters until 1967.
Finally replaced in the undergraduate pilot training program by the Northrop T-38 Talon, the T-Bird flew until 1990 in the Aerospace Defense Command for target support and pre-interceptor training.
The Shooting Star left Luke AFB in early 1969 after serving since 1951.
The F-4 Phantom II proved its many capabilities in every major conflict from Vietnam to Operation Desert Storm.
The F-4 project was started by the Navy with a request for an all-weather supersonic plane. The F4H-1 flew first in May 1958. The USAF was so impressed with the Navy’s F-4, they ordered their own version, the F-110. It was later renamed the F-4C, which made its prototype flight in May 1963. The F-4 became the Air Force’s primary operation tactical fighter-bomber performing air superiority, interdiction, close air support and suppression of enemy air defenses.
Eight countries adopted standard USAF models with a total of 5,211 Phantom IIs built until May 1981.
Luke instructors used F-4s to train 3,147 F-4 air crew members from 1971 to 1982. A reconnaissance version, the RF-4, replaced the standard armament with photographic equipment.
This F-4E destroyed a MiG-21 over North Vietnam in September 1972 while assigned to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron. The jet appears in the markings of Luke’s 308th Fighter Squadron. Lt. Col. Hank Canterbury, whose name appears on the aircraft, commanded the 308th FS from 1973 to 1975.
He went on to command the 832nd Air Division at Luke from 1982 to 1984. Capt. Rick Ma- lick, whose name also appears on the aircraft, represents the backseaters who flew as weapons systems officers. Malick was Canterbury’s backseater. Sgt. Gary Martin’s name also appears on the aircraft. He was Canterbury’s crew chief.
The F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, highly maneuverable tactical fighter aircraft designed to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. The Eagle can guide a radar missile from any altitude to destroy an enemy aircraft at more than 40 miles.
The two-seat F-15B flew in 1973 and was the first operational Eagle delivered and dedicated to the Air Force in November 1974. President Gerald Ford attended its acceptance ceremony at Luke.
Lt. Col. Ted Laudise, whose name appears on the aircraft, piloted this jet when it was delivered into the USAF’s inventory at Luke. Staff Sgt. Dennis Edwards, whose name appears on the aircraft, was assigned here as one of the Air Force’s first F-15 Eagle crew chiefs.
The first flight of the single-seat F-15A was made in July 1972.
In 1975, a lightened version, the Streak Eagle, set several time and climb altitude records, including a climb to 98,425 feet in three minutes and 27.8 seconds. The single-seat F-15C and two-seat F-15D models entered the Air Force inventory in 1979.
With conformal and external wing fuel tanks, the F-15C can cruise almost 3,600 miles. F‑15C/Ds deployed to the Middle East during Operation Desert Storm and accounted for 36 of the 39 USAF air-to-air victories.
Luke’s 426th, 461st, 550th and 555th Tactical Fighter Training Squadrons produced 4,200 graduates from F-15A/B/D/E training between 1974 and 1995 when the Eagle program moved to Tyndall.
In 1949, North American started plans to improve on the successful F-86 and make a true supersonic fighter. Those plans resulted in the F-100 Super Sabre.
The F-100 Super Sabre first flew in May 1953 and was the first USAF aircraft to fly faster than Mach 1 in level flight. In August 1955, it set a world speed record of 822 miles per hour.
The F-100 was the workhorse of tactical air units throughout the 1960s. The F-100A was essentially an air superiority fighter. Its successor, the F-100C, had six external ordnance stations for the fighter bomber mission and was one of the first fighters capable of in-flight refueling. The more sophisticated and versatile F-100D was an even better bomber and the F-model increased the fighter’s capability with the ability to carry AIM-9 Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles.
When production ended in October 1959, North American had delivered 2,294 Super Sabres. The F-100C/D/F served at Luke from October 1957 until August 1971. During that period, eight different squadrons in three wings flew the aircraft.
Their combined efforts produced 3,451 graduates from F-100 training.
Capt. Rex Hammock, whose name appears on the aircraft, was an instructor pilot in the F-100 from 1957 to 1967. In the mid-1970s he was the assistant director of F-4 operations here. Staff Sgt. Paul Govin, whose name also appears on the aircraft, was Hammock’s crew chief.
The original F-84 concept in 1944 blended the P-47 Thunderbolt with a jet engine. The first true F-84 flew in February 1946. Since then, almost 8,000 F-84s have flown in the USAF and foreign air forces. Engineers swept its wings 45 degrees to increase speed in the early 1950s and in November 1952, the F-84F began flying.
The F-model was adapted to several roles such as a flying tanker and photographic reconnaissance. One model F-84 had a special hook on the top which enabled it to be carried by a Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber.
On long-range missions, if the B-36 was threatened, the F-84 would release, destroy the enemy aircraft, then reattach itself under the bomber’s belly. F-84s were the main type of trainers at Luke from 1951 to 1957. Almost 7,000 pilots learned to fly the F-84 at Luke.
In 1953, the newly formed USAF Stardusters aerial demonstration team, later called the Thunderbirds, converted to the F-84G and flew at Luke until their transfer to Nellis AFB, Nev., in 1956.
This F-84F Thunderstreak with USAF Thunderbirds’ markings commemorates not only the 1951 through 1964 F-84 fighter training program at Luke, but also the forming of the Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team at Luke in 1953. This F-84 is actually tail number 52-6782, but is dis- played as 6779 because it was the number of one of the original Thunderbirds at Luke. 1st Lt. Bob McCutchen, whose name appears on the aircraft, flew with the Thunderbirds at Luke in 1954 and 1955. Tech. Sgt. Dale Moffitt, whose name also appears on the aircraft, was one of the Thunderbirds’ original crew chiefs.