LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- The 56th Fighter Wing joined forces with the Kansas City Air National Guard, Altus Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma to launch 63 aircraft during the latest Instructor Pilot War Day at the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Sept. 10, 2025.
The large-force exercise brought together multiple services and mission sets to replicate a joint, large-scale aerial combat operation. The event reinforces the Air Force’s imperative to develop Airmen who can dominate in any environment, ensuring the U.S. maintains global air superiority.
“IP War Day is a quarterly, large-scale training exercise designed to immerse our instructor pilots in realistic, high-pressure combat scenarios,” said Maj. Michael Walker, 944th Wing weapons officer. “It sharpens our lethality, tests our tactics, and builds the combat mindset we need to prevail against any adversary. Luke AFB has the most F-35 instructor pilots, and the lessons learned here directly strengthen our ability to train and mentor the next generation of combat-ready Airmen.”
Instructor pilots planned and executed missions that integrated offensive counter-air, suppression of enemy air defenses, and air interdiction across contested airspaces. Aircraft included F-35A Lightning IIs, F-1 Mirages, and F-16 Fighting Falcons from Luke AFB, KC-46A Pegasi from Altus AFB, F-35B Lightning IIs from MCAS Yuma, and KC-135 Stratotankers from Kansas City ANG.
“IP War Day challenges our mission planning, tactical skills, and decision-making under pressure,” said Capt. Nathaniel Jewell, 61st FS pilot. “It’s designed to push instructor pilots to the edge so we can build the mental agility and lethal proficiency needed to out-think and out-fly any threat. That directly translates into training students who are mission ready from day one.”
The exercise enhanced tactical proficiency while strengthening joint interoperability. By flying large-scale operations with other wings, services, Luke Airmen develop the confidence, resilience, and combat power essential to the Air Force’s future fight.
Events like IP War Day forge lethal, disciplined, and adaptable Airmen who demonstrate brilliance at the basics; combat-ready Airmen who can project power, defend the nation, and ensure that the U.S. maintains air superiority.