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U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Demonstration Team pilot and commander, performs a dedication pass during the Melbourne Air and Space Show in Melbourne, Fla., March 30, 2019. During the two-day event, more than 50,000 guests attended the Melbourne Air and Space Show. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alexander Cook)

Luke AFB selected as candidate for Belgium F-35 Training

Published Oct. 30, 2019
By 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --

The Secretary of the Air Force selected Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, as a candidate to host a Belgium F-35A Foreign Military Sales Formal Training Unit, for up to seven years, starting in 2023.

“Because of Luke AFB's infrastructure and its experience in hosting international F-35 customers, Luke is uniquely suited to provide an optimal training environment for our Belgian Allies,” said Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett. “Our partnership with Belgium has historic importance and will prove vital in our collective futures.”

The next step will be to complete a site survey at Luke AFB later this year to confirm it meets mission, capacity, environmental, and cost criteria which will be followed by the environmental impact analysis process.

In the future, the Air Force expects to identify an additional permanent F-35 Foreign Military Sales training base to support new customers.