LUKE AIR FORCE BASE AIR PARK

THE HISTORY OF
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE

 

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.

 

Air Park Map

The Air Park is located directly south of Club Five Six.
The Club has room for bus parking.

 

Medal of Honor Memorial

 

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.

F-86F Sabre

History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-100C Super Sabre

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-4E Phantom II

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-104C Starfighter

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-16A Falcon

 

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.

AT-6 Texan

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

SPAD XIII

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-84F Thunderstreak

 
History

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

F-15B Eagle

 
History

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 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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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.

T-33A Shooting Star

 
History

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.

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.

Luke’s Aircraft

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, symbolizes 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.