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U.S. Air Force graduated pilots pose for a photo in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron, during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard members wait to present the colors during the final 309th Fighter Squadron graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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Luke Air Force Base leadership, family members and community members stand for the playing of the National Anthem during the final 309th Fighter Squadron graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter that will replace the fleet of aging F-16s and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, speaks at the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training for U.S. personnel. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force graduated pilots from the 309th Fighter Squadron stand in line during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35A operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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Michael Rothstein, retired U.S. Air Force major general, speaks at the final 309th Fighter Squadron graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Rothstein served as an F-16 pilot and 56th Fighter Wing commander, and spoke to the graduates on the value of being a wingman and honing their craft. This graduation marks the final group of F-16 pilots to graduate through the squadron as the mission will be converted to training F-35A Lightning II pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Johnston (center), 56th Fighter Wing deputy commander, looks to U.S. Air Force Capt. Nick Belinski (right), 309th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot, during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This graduation marks the final group of F-16 pilots to graduate through the squadron as the mission will be converted to training F-35A Lightning II pilots. The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter that will replace the fleet of F-16s and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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James Uken, retired U.S. Air Force colonel, speaks at the final 309th Fighter Squadron graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This graduation marks the final group of F-16 pilots to graduate through the squadron as the mission will be converted to training F-35A Lightning II pilots. The F-35A is the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter that will replace the fleet of F-16s and A-10 Thunderbolt II’s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Reed Glosser (right), 309th Fighter Squadron graduate pilot, salutes Capt. Nick Belinski (left), 309th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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The 309th Fighter Squadron emblem is presented on the back of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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309th FS graduates final F-16 class

Published Sept. 30, 2024
By Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson
56th FW Public Affairs

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- U.S. Air Force graduated pilots pose for a photo in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 309th Fighter Squadron, during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equipment to prepare for F-35 operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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