72 more F-35s to be sent to Luke AFB near Phoenix

«
»


New Yuma Marine squadron set to fly latest US jet fighter

RANDY HOEFT / THE YUMA SUN
2013-06-27T10:29:00Z
An F-35B touches down at the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma.

The Associated Press
2 hours ago
PHOENIX — The Air Force has decided to assign three additional squadrons of the new F-35 fighter at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.
The decision secures the future of the base 15 miles west of Phoenix as the current fleet of F-16s is retired. It brings the total to be assigned there for pilot training to six squadrons with 144 aircraft.
Arizona Sens. John McCain and Jeff Flake announced the Air Force decision. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer is set to discuss the decision Thursday afternoon at the base.
Noise concerns also have been raised in Arizona, and other states.
Luke Air Force Base in Glendale was chosen over Tucson International Airport for a pilot-training center because a study released in June 2012 showed F-35s would have greatly increased the number of Tucsonans affected by the noise.

http://azstarnet.com/news/state-and-regional/more-f--s-to-be-sent-to-luke-afb/article_1b57c686-df4f-11e2-ac49-0019bb2963f4.html