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America's premier fighter pilot training base in the Arizona desert.
Opened
1941
Location
Glendale, United States
Luke Air Force Base is a United States Air Force installation located in Glendale, Arizona, west of Phoenix. It serves as the largest fighter pilot training base in the world and is home to the 56th Fighter Wing, which trains F-35A Lightning II pilots for the U.S. Air Force and allied nations.
The base is named in honor of Second Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr., an Arizona-born World War I ace pilot who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Luke AFB does not operate as a commercial airport; its primary mission is military aviation training, and civilian access is restricted.
The IATA code LUF and ICAO code KLUF are used primarily for military flight planning and air traffic control purposes. The base encompasses a large airfield with multiple runways capable of supporting high-performance jet operations.
Notable facts
- ›Home to the 56th Fighter Wing, the largest F-35A training wing in the world.
- ›Named after WWI ace and Medal of Honor recipient Frank Luke Jr., a native Arizonan.
- ›Activated in 1941 as a World War II pilot training facility.
- ›Trains F-35A pilots for the U.S. Air Force and multiple allied and partner nations.
- ›Civilian access to the base is restricted; it is not open to commercial air travel.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
