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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, taxis a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. For decades, these jets have been central to the 56th Fighter Wing’s pilot training program. As Luke AFB transitions to the F-35A, it reinforces the Department of Defense’s commitment to building a more advanced and dominant airpower force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, taxis a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Since the 1980s, the 56th Fighter Wing has been the cornerstone of F-16 training, producing combat-ready pilots for the U.S. and allied nations. Now, as Luke AFB transitions to F-35A training, it continues its legacy of preparing aviators for the future of air combat. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing watch as a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off for the final flight of the 309th Fighter Squadron, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This flight marked the last 309th FS sortie at Luke AFB as the 56th Fighter Wing officially transforms its mission and focus on training pilots for the legacy F-16 to the F-35A Lightning II, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. This shift sets the stage for a renewed dedication to lethality and readiness that is essential to re-establishing deterrence and cementing our position as the most formidable Air Force on the planet. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, fastens his oxygen mask to his helmet in the cabin of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon for the final F-16 flight of the 309th FS, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. While the 56th Fighter Wing will continue to support legacy aircraft like the F-16 for international partners, the wing’s mission has sharpened its focus on the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter, the F-35A Lightning II. The 56th FW mission is essential to generating combat airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, smiles as his wife wipes greets him after his final flight with the squadron, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This flight concludes the U.S. pilot training transition from the F-16 Fighting Falcon to the F-35A Lightning II after the 309th FS’s final F-16 flight at Luke AFB. The 56th Fighter Wing is committed to strength and readiness, ensuring 56th FW Airmen remain prepared for any situation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Tekorey Watkins)

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309th FS finishes final F-16 sortie at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, smiles at a 309th FS Airman during his pre-flight brief, Feb. 26, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This flight marked the 309th FS’s last F-16 Fighting Falcon sortie at Luke AFB as the 56th Fighter Wing officially transforms its mission and focus on training pilots from the legacy F-16 to the F-35A Lightning II, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter. The 56th FW’s mission is essential to generating combat airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

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Luke honored with historical award

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland (middle left,) 56th Fighter Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason Shaffer (middle right,) 56th FW command chief, stand alongside retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Berry (left,) Air Force Historical Foundation chair, and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Dik Daso (right,) AFHF executive director, after being awarded the Hap Arnold Thunderbolt award during the 2025 annual awards ceremony, Feb. 21, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Originally titled the AFHF Outstanding Training Unit award, the award was renamed in honor of Gen. Henry Arnold, while also bearing the Thunderbolt moniker of the 56th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jakob Hambright)

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Luke honored with historical award

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland (left), 56th Fighter Wing commander, gives remarks after receiving the Hap Arnold Thunderbolt award from retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Berry (right), Air Force Historical Foundation chair, during the 2025 annual awards ceremony, Feb. 21, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Originally titled the AFHF Outstanding Training Unit award, the award was renamed in honor of Gen. Henry Arnold, while also bearing the Thunderbolt moniker of the 56th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jakob Hambright)

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Luke honored with historical award

Retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Berry (right), Air Force Historical Foundation chair, presents the Hap Arnold Thunderbolt award to U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland (left), 56th Fighter Wing commander, during the 2025 annual awards ceremony, Feb. 21, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Originally titled the AFHF Outstanding Training Unit award, the award was renamed in honor of Gen. Henry Arnold, while also bearing the Thunderbolt moniker of the 56th Fighter Wing. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jakob Hambright)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, greets friends and family following his final active-duty flight, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. From 2006 to 2009, Alley served as an enlisted F-16 crew chief with the 56th Fighter Wing before commissioning as a pilot and returning to Luke AFB. As the base transitions away from the F-16, the 309th FS will close, marking both the end of an era and the final chapter of Alley’s active-duty service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, poses for a photo with family and friends following his final active-duty flight, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Alley began his Air Force career as an F-16 crew chief at the 56th Fighter Wing, years later returning as an instructor pilot. Throughout his service, he contributed to the base's mission of training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, is sprayed with water and champagne by his wife, daughter, and other family members following his final active-duty flight, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. A former F-16 crew chief turned instructor pilot, Alley has spent nearly five years developing future fighter pilots as part of the 56th Fighter Wing’s mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. Having started his Air Force career at Luke AFB as an enlisted crew chief, he now concludes his active-duty service at the same base before transitioning to the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, is greeted with a celebratory spray of water from his daughter and niece, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. As an instructor pilot with the 56th Fighter Wing, Alley played a key role in its mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. Surrounded by loved ones, he embraced the moment, marking the end of his active-duty service while looking ahead to his next journey in the Air Force Reserve. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Emanuel Jones, 309th Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief, prepares to guide U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, onto the taxiway, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Crew chiefs play a critical role in maintaining the F-16’s readiness and performance, ensuring pilots can execute their missions safely and effectively. Responsible for inspections, maintenance, and troubleshooting, these skilled Airmen are the backbone of aircraft operations, keeping the world’s greatest fighter pilots mission ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, and other Airmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing conduct pre-flight checks on a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon before take-off, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. From 2006 to 2009, Alley served as an enlisted F-16 crew chief with the 56th FW. After several years in that role, he commissioned from the U.S. Air Force Academy and later returned to Luke AFB to fly the same aircraft he once maintained. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, prepares for his final active-duty flight, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. His career has come full circle, concluding his active-duty service at the 56th Fighter Wing, the same base where he began his career. Alley will continue to serve in the Air Force Reserve after completing his time in the 309th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, greets fellow pilots following his final active-duty flight, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. His career comes full circle as he concludes his active-duty service at the 56th Fighter Wing, the same base where he began his journey. Alley will continue his service in the Air Force Reserve after completing his time with the 309th FS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, signals goodbye to his loved ones as he taxis a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. A former F-16 crew chief, Alley’s hands-on maintenance experience gives him a unique understanding of the aircraft, enhancing his capabilities as a pilot. He has served as an instructor pilot at Luke AFB for nearly five years and will conclude his active-duty service there, continuing his commitment to the Air Force as a reservist. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, taxis a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. A former enlisted F-16 crew chief, Alley’s hands-on maintenance experience gives him a unique understanding of the aircraft, enhancing his capabilities as a pilot. As part of the 56th Fighter Wing, he contributes to its mission to train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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Full Circle: Maj. Alley’s Final Flight at Luke AFB

U.S. Air Force Maj. Isaiah Alley, 309th Fighter Squadron director of operations, climbs into the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon, Feb. 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. From 2006 to 2009, Alley worked as an enlisted F-16 crew chief with the 56th Fighter Wing. Despite facing challenges in advancing his college education, he eventually received the support needed to enter the U.S. Air Force Academy. After commissioning, he returned as a pilot, flying the same aircraft he once maintained as an enlisted Airman. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Belinda Guachun-Chichay)

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