Statement by Governor Jan
Brewer
Luke AFB to Welcome F-35 Training Center
“This is a proud
day for Arizona, as the United States Department of Defense has officially
announced Luke Air Force Base as the designated location for the Air Force’s new
F-35 training center.
“With this welcome
and long-awaited news, Luke AFB will be home to the F-35A Lightning II (Joint
Strike Fighter) training mission. The base will initially receive three
squadrons – totaling 72 next-generation aircraft. The DOD announcement also
allows for the potential of Luke AFB to receive up to three additional squadrons
of F-35’s over time as F-16’s are gradually retired from the Air
Force.
“Luke AFB is the
largest active-duty F-16 training base in the world. But with the Air Force
scheduled to phase-out and retire the F-16 between now and 2025, it was critical
that Luke AFB receive this critical assignment for the F-16’s replacement: the
F-35.
“Today’s announcement not only ensures Arizona will
continue to play a leading role in our nation’s security and defense, it also
helps assure the long-term viability of Luke AFB and its status as a critical
driver of jobs and local economic development. The base alone generates more
than $2 billion in statewide economic impact every year, and its designation as
a training center for the F-35 is expected to create more than $100 million in
immediate federal investment. That’s good news for the thousands of Arizona
civilians and businesses that will benefit from the additional jobs, wages,
consumer spending and tourism dollars that will be generated as a result of the
F-35 basing.
“Over the last 70
years, Luke AFB has trained and graduated more than 56,000 of the finest fighter
pilots this world has ever known. The selection of Luke AFB for the F-35 mission
is a testament not only to the reputation of the base, but also to the dedicated
and unified support of public officials, business leaders, local communities and
regular Arizonans all across our great state. Thank you. This day would not have
been possible without your efforts.”
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