56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Republic of Singapore Air Force Military Expert Two Second Warrant Officer Kong Kum Cheong, 425th Fighter Squadron maintainer, gathers aircraft parts Aug. 5, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. RSAF personnel h More

Military children go through a simulated mobility line where they received uniforms, identification cards and dog-tags during the sixth annual Operation Kids event at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 25, 2014. More

Charles Rothrock, 56th Civil Engineering Squadron environmental chief, talks about Arbor Day April 26, 2019, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. First observed in Nebraska in 1872, Arbor Day is recognized as a nation More

Retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager spends time with team Luke Thunderbolts during a luncheon at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 13, 2018. As part of Yeager’s 95th birthday celebration, he participated in telling More

An aerial photo of Hiroshima showing the destruction caused the atomic bomb on Aug. 6, 1945. The photo was in possession of Ralph Richard Hayes, former 20th Air Force, Army Air Corps, 421st Bombardment Squadron More

Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing ground safety manager, is shown as a staff sergeant in 1973 at Kessler Air Force Base, Mississippi. At the time of this photo, Bruce was a air traffic controller instructor. (Courte More

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, assigned to the 21st Fighter Squadron, flies May 19, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The F-16 has a top speed of 1,500 mph and thrust power of 27,000 lbs. Luke AFB currently trains More

A U.S. Navy Blue Angel meets Make-A-Wish Arizona kids at Luke Days on Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 16, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around the world More

A young boy smiles from the pilot's seat in a static display of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter during Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area reside More

A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 308th Fighter Squadron prepares for takeoff Sept. 15, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The RNLAF arrived at Luke AFB in February 2019 and s More

An F-35A Lightning II lands while an F-16 Fighting Falcon prepares for takeoff, Dec. 15, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Luke AFB’s mission is to train F-16 and F-35 fighter pilots and has graduated more More

Mike Berrichoa announces the opening ceremony for Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around the world to see More

The sun sets over the White Tank Regional Park May 19, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Luke was established in Arizona in 1941 and has a total economic impact of $2.4 billion. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airm More

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 308th Fighter Squadron breaks away from a four-ship formation Nov. 6, 2019, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The F-35 is a multi-role fighter aircraft that can reach the speed More

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron executes a touch-and-go maneuver during sunset, Nov. 2, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The F-35 is the Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fig More

Thunderbolts gather around the North American B-25 Mitchell March 17, 2018, during Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around t More

Kelli Seybolt, Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force International Affairs, discusses Luke Air Force Base’s F-35A Lightning II mission with Brig. Gen. Gregory Kreuder, 56th Fighter Wing commander, Nov. 5, 202 More

A crowd arrives to attend Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around the world to see how Luke builds the futu More

Luke Days Air Boss Ralph Royce, briefs event pilots on safety and procedures at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around More

People gather around an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Luke Days 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around the world More

Col. William Bailey, 56th Operations Group commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Gregory Frana today as he assumes command of the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The 62nd FS has a history More

A U.S. Navy Blue Angel pilot signs souvenirs for Make-A-Wish Arizona kids at Luke Days on Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 16, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors fr More

An air show static aircraft pilot speaks to spectators about the L-39 Albatros during Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and vi More

Mike Berrichoa announces the opening ceremony for Luke Days at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 18, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area residents and visitors from around the world to see More

Crowds gather around an F-15E Fighting Falcon based out of Mountain Home Air Force Base during Luke Days 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 17, 2018. Luke Days provides an opportunity for Phoenix-area re More

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron taxis to the runway April 8, 2020, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Luke AFB has graduated more than 61,000 pilots since 1941. Luke AFB is home to 77 F-1 More

Wearing a black head cover, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Raquel Patrick, Army Ordnance Training Detachment-Fort Gordon division deputy chief and Cultural Support Team-2 member, is shown asking an Afghan child Novem More

Ben Bruce, 56th Fighter Wing occupational safety manager, gives a speech during a Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance event, Jan. 15, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. As a child, Bruce was present for the More

Airmen assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing participate in a Martin Luther King Jr. remembrance march Jan. 15, 2021, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The march was a re-enactment of three marches that took place d More

Staff Sgt. John Haines, 56th Security Forces Squadron, explains the importance of transitioning weapons during combat at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Feb. 3, 2012. The shoot and move training reinforces vital gr More

Archaeologists excavate land, Feb. 9, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., in order to make way for a solar array the base is planning to build. The excavation team has found thousands of artifacts dating back to 3,000 B.C.

The F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter lifts off for its first training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. It's the first flight of any 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 since its arrival to the base. (U.S. More

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jacob Torgerson, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron joint terminal attack controller, calibrates his equipment prior to the start of the exercise at the Barry M. Goldwater Range Com More

Airman 1st Class Jonathan Leak, Tops in Blue vocalist, performs vocal warm up exercises before the Tops in Blue performance at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., June 5, 2012. Leak is a knowle More

Tops in Blue singers perform the "Thriller" dance during the Tops in Blue performance at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Ariz., June 5, 2012. Tops in Blue performed a tribute to Michael Jackson, h More

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. JD Harris, 56th Fighter Wing commander, speaks with Sen. John McCain, Aug. 23 in the wing conference room at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The senator visited Luke to meet with base leade More

Staff Sgt. Eduardo Madera-Muniz, 8th Aircraft Maintenance Unit crew chief, Skypes with his family before work Dec. 11 from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Madera-Muniz has been assigned to Kunsan AB for seven mon More

Senior Airman Daniel Fox, 56th Security Forces Squadron, crawls through a tunnel Feb. 23 during the Tough Mudder course held in Mesa, Ariz. The average time it takes to finish a Tough Mudder course is three and More

(From left) Tech. Sgt. Brad Brown, 56th Security Forces Squadron; Airman 1st Class David Owsianka, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs; and Staff Sgt. Stephanie Harp, 56th SFS, begin the 12-mile Tough Mudder obsta More

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16 aerial demonstration team performs during Luke Air Force Base's 75 Years of Airpower air show April 2, 2016. The air show consisted of numerous acts and displays fr More

Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Singapore minister of defense, and staff walk to the static display of an F-35B Lighting II at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 10, 2013. The minister also viewed an aerial performance of the U. More

Staff Sgt. Michael Couture, F-35 Heritage Flight Team crew chief, marshals an F-35A Lightning II upon arrival at the Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport in Opa-Locka, Fla., May 24, 2018. The F-35 HFT arrived in M More

Airman 1st Class Kurt Yearwood, a 56th Force Support Squadron food service apprentice, searches through different spices as he prepares a freshly cooked dinner at the Hensman Dining Facility June 7, 2018 at Luk More

"Tora, Tora, Tora" the Commemorative Air Force's recreation of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that signaled the beginning of the American involvement in World War II April 3, 2016 on Luke Air Force Base, A More

Senior Airman Cole Broomfield, 56th Medical Squadron pharmacy technician, provides a patient with their prescription medicine July 2, 2018 at the Luke Air Force Base Pharmacy Annex in Scottsdale, Ariz. On aver More

Maj. Kris Elmstedt, 61st Fighter Squadron F-35 instructor pilot, steps to an F-35A Lightning II to participate in a transitional training sortie at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., July 18, 2018. Pilots with experie More

A child waves an American Flag pennant as an F-35A Lightning II flies past the crowd during the Defenders of Freedom Air and Space Air Show at Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., Aug. 11, 2018. The F-35 HFT performanc More

Arizona State University cadets pull a 6,000-pound high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle April 18, 2014, at the ATSO area at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The cadets were invited to Luke by Company Grade Offi More

Retired Tech. Sgt. Matthew Slaydon speaks at the opening ceremony to the explosive ordnance disposal physical training challenge at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., May 2, 2014. Slaydon was injured in the line of du More

Two Marine helicopters land on the flightline at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Oct. 19, 2018. President Donald J. Trump along with congressman and defense industry leaders, participated in a roundtable discussion More

President Donald J. Trump arrives in the Marine One helicopter during a visit to Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2018. President Trump visited the base to discuss military weapons and technology capabiliti More

Senior Airman Brad Howell, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron ammunitions conventional maintenance crew chief, inspects and counts 20 millimeter target practice rounds June 25, 2014, in Building 1236 bay 3 at More

Thunderbolts play a game with wooden blocks during the annual Freedom Fest celebration June 29, 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Hundreds of military families attended the festival to participate in games and More

An F-35A Lightning II receives fuel from a KC-10 Extender assigned to the 76th Air Refueling Squadron during a refueling mission July 12, 2018 over the Atlantic Ocean. Two F-35s refueled seven times while in ro More

Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Heritage Flight Team pilot, prepares his gear before flight during the Wings Over South Texas air show at Naval Air Station Kingsville, Texas, March 24, 2018. The F-35 HFT includ More

Capt. Andrew “Dojo” Olson, F-35 Heritage Flight Team commander,speaks with Brig. Gen. Kari Renko, Logistics commander from the Finland official delegation, during the 2018 Berlin Air and Trade show at the Berli More

Brig. Gen. Scott L. Pleus, Luke Air Force Base 56th Fighter Wing commander, salutes while the Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard presents the colors during the opening ceremony of "The Moving Wall," a Vietnam vete More

The Luke Air Force Base Honor Guard marches in to present the colors at the opening ceremony of The Moving Wall Vietnam Memorial in Goodyear, Ariz., Oct. 03, 2014. Engraved in the memorial are the names of more More

Gen. Robin Rand, Air Education and Training Command commander, speaks at the new academic training center at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2014. Rand was speaking about the training on F-35 simulators and More

Daniel "Nanoo" Mayer, pilot for a day, tries on a flight helmet at the 310th Fighter Squadron on Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Oct. 24, 2014. The Pilot for a Day program focuses on children who have serious or ch More

Airman 1st Class Angelika Kassel, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron precision measurement equipment laboratory journeyman, cleans a connector with ethyl alcohol using a cotton swab Nov. 17, 2014, in Building More

An A-10 Thunderbolt II from Davis Monthan Air Force Base fires off its 30mm gun during a training mission at the Barry Goldwater Range, Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field, Arizona, Nov. 20, 2014. The A-10 Thun More

The 14th F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter to arrive at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. is shown Dec. 5 on the flightline. Airmen at the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit worked quickly to get the aircraft ready t More

The 17th Luke Air Force Base F-35A Lightning II jet arrived at Luke Air Force Base Dec. 18, 2014. The jet accompanied the first Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II to arrive here. (U.S. Air Force phot More

A Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighting Falcon soars above Luke Air Force Base Dec. 18, 2014. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller)

Cody Parkey, Philadelphia Eagles placekicker assigned to Team Carter, kicks a field goal during the Pro Bowl practice held at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 22, 2015. The Pro Bowl players came out to Luke to More

Four F-35 Lightning II's from the 61st Fighter Squadron perform the first-ever F-35 aircraft flyover opening the 2015 NFL Pro Bowl game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., Jan. 25, 2015. The F- More

61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit Airmen tape a cover over the canopy of an F-35 Lightning II Jan. 26 prior to washing the jet at Luke Air Force Base. The canopy is cleaned with a different cleaning agent, so main More

Jillian Artiges, daughter of Maj. Michael Artiges, 308th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations, catches a pass during a youth football camp at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Jan. 29, 2015. The camp ran More

Airmen and their friends wait in line for the VH1 concert at Hangar 999 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 30, 2015. Thousands of Thunderbolts came out to see Fall Out Boy and Charli XCX. (U.S. Air Force pho More

Luke Thunderbolts wave as rock group Fall Out Boy performs one of their hit songs during the VH1 Concert for the Troops at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Jan. 30, 2015. Former 98 Degrees band member Nick Lachey More

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds get recognized by fans during Super Bowl XLIX for performing a flyover during opening ceremonies at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Feb. 1, 2015. Members of the Joi More

Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing commander, suits up for his first F-35 sortie flight at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., March 18, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Devante Williams)

Northern Arizona University cadets work together to complete a team board walk at the ability to survive and operate training area at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., April 17, 2015. The event was composed of 15 obs More

Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing commander, lands the flagship F-35 Lightning ll at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., April 28, 2015. The flagship's arrival coincides with the start of Luke F-35 student pilo More

Members of the Phoenix Bomb Squad participate in the Warrior Fitness Challenge May 2, 2015, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Joint coordination between. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota)

Retired Col. Richard Toliver graduated from Tuskegee Institute University in January, 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He learned from the Tuskegee Airmen, and proudly accepted More

An F-35 Lightning II assigned to the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base takes off, July 28, 2015. Since 2010, the F-35 has flown more than 30,000 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller)

A pilot from the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base prepares for take off July 28, 2015. Since 2010, the F-35 Lightning ll has flown more than 30,000 hours. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Staci Miller)

A pilot from the 357th Fighter Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz. performs a low-altitude strafe in an A-10 Warthog over Range 2 Aug. 26, 2015, at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Arizona ne More

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Miller, 56th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron lead crew chief, instructs Staff Sgt. Joel Bass, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit load crew chief, on bomb loading procedures during LukeÕs first F-35 More

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Airmen from various bases around Arizona participate in combat training exercises over the course of Labor Day weekend, Sept. 3 - 6, 2015, at Gila Bend, Ariz. The training involved l More

Airman 1st Class Haleigh Rodriguez, 56th Medical Support Squadron pharmacy technician, stands watch during a 24-hour POW/MIA vigil at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Sept. 17, 2015. National POW/MIA Recognition D More

Airman 1st Class Jonathan Chavarria, 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron non-destructive inspections apprentice, stands at parade rest in support of the POW/MIA Recognition Day Sept. 18, 2015, in front of the L More

Ret. Air Force Col. Richard Toliver, guest speaker at the POW/MIA Recognition Day Retreat ceremony, talked about those who are prisoners of war or missing in action, the history behind the day and more Sept. 18 More

Tech. Sgt. Derek Cook, 56th Component Maintenance Squadron lead standardization crew member, grabs tools to load weapons onto an F-16 Fighting Falcon at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., July 12, 2018. Using continuo More

The sun shines over a display model of the F-15 Eagle Sept. 29 at the Luke Air Force Base Air Park. The Air Park contains models of nine aircraft that have served out of Luke throughout the base's history, incl More

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II takes off at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., July 25, 2018. The 56th Fighter Wing is responsible for all of the Air Force’s F-35A initial pilot training. (U.S. Air Force photo by More

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter pilots assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron receive a step brief prior to heading to their aircraft at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., July 30, 2018. The members were br More

Senior Airman Jordan Stoltz, 56th Operations Support Squadron airfield management shift lead, maps a point on a Luke Air Force Base map Oct. 13, 2015. Airfield management is responsible for ground and flight sa More

Christopher Culley, Rockwell Collins customer support specialst, fits and issues an F-35 Lightning ll Generation lll Helmet Mounted Display System at the Pilot Fit Facility at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Sep More

Retired Lt. Col. Alma Skousen shows off his flight suit Oct. 30, 2015, in his Mesa, Ariz., home. Skousen flew combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam wars, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for acts More

Connor Murphy, Arizona Coyotes defenseman, learns how to weld Nov. 4, 2015, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Murphy visited Luke for Veterans Day. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marcy Copeland)

Lt. Col. Matthew Vedder, 62nd Fighter Squadron director of operations, gives the Phoenix Suns basketball team a briefing on the F-35A Lightning II Nov. 5, 2015, on Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The Phoenix Suns vi More

Tech. Sgt. Timothy Boyer, 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs photojournalist, bows his head in prayer at the base chapel at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 9, 2015. Spirituality is one of the four pillars of Com More

A formation of U.S. and Norwegian F-35 Lightning II and an F-16 Fighting Falcon soar over Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 10, 2015. Today was the scheduled arrival of two F-35s for the Norwegian air force whil More

Staff Sgt. Justin Gonzalez, 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, washes dog bowls after feeding the MWDs at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 17, 2015. Gonzalez’s daily routine include tak More

Staff Sgt. Justin Gonzalez, 56th Security Forces Squadron military working dog handler, carries Rango, MWD, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Nov. 18, 2015. MWD handlers have to train and condition their bodies to More

F-15 Fighting Eagles from the 428th Fighter Squadron, arrived at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, Nov. 19, 2015. The F-15s came in support of the training exercise Forging Saber from Mountain Home Air Force Base, More

Lt. Col. Eric Puels, 944th Operations Group Detachment 2 director of operations, suits up for the 3000th F-35 Lightning II sortie at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., Dec. 10, 2015. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Ai More