Page 3 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt January 2026

Thunderbolt 2025 Year in review January 9, 2026 3
March
56th FW 2025 Dining Out ceremony
http://www.luke.af.mil
Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
Arizona legislators visit Luke AFB
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson
April
Luke AFB divests last F-16
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, climbs into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to pilot the final U.S. F-16 flight out of Luke Air Force Base, March 24, 2025, delivering it to the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nevada. The final class of F-16 student pilots graduated from the 309th FS in September 2024, and the last local training sortie was in February of 2025.
Haboob Havoc competition
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mason Hargrove
U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, perform a strafing run during Haboob Havoc, April 24, 2024, over Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona. Haboob Havoc is a total force competition that provides a way for pilots to demonstrate their skills across a diverse range
of aircraft while also testing their abilities in different mission sets such as dogfighting and gun runs. Haboob Havoc showcases the skills and capabilities of fighter pilots across various bases and highlights the importance of supporting mission training and combat readiness.
U.S. Air Force
Airmen, spouses, and community partners
sit together for the
56th Fighter Wing 2025 Dining Out, March
14, 2025, at Diamond Desert Arena, Arizona. An Air Force Dining
Out is a long-standing military tradition that brings together service members, spouses, and community partners in a formal yet social setting.
U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Marshall, 56th Civil Engineer Squadron commander, briefs Arizona Legislative representatives on funding requests, March 19, 2025, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Dr. Jooeun Kim, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly’s National Security Advisor, speaks to 56th Fighter Wing leadership before the conclusion of her and her team’s base tour, March 19, 2025, at Luke. Air Force Base, Arizona. Kim
and her team discussed the 56th FW’s mission, capabilities, and issues impacting Luke AFB and its community.
Belgian air chief visits Luke AFB
U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson
LEFT: Belgian Air Component Maj. Gen. Geert Decker (left), Belgium air chief, shakes hands with U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. David Berkland (right), 56th Fighter Wing commander, upon arrival at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona on April 3, 2025. The purpose of the visit was for Decker and his accompanying delegation to engage with personnel at the 312th Fighter Squadron, the Belgian F-35A Lightning II conversion unit at Luke AFB.
56th ARS KC-46 supports new F-35 mission
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonah Bliss
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft assigned to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, flies alongside a KC-46 Pegasus assigned to Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma, April 10, 2025. The KC-46 refueled the F-35s to extend their training mission and support aerial refueling qualification for new pilots.