Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt – November 2024

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56th Fighter Wing
the increased demand for high-tech resources. The frequent use of simulations—including live, virtual, and constructive elements—will enhance training efficiency and effectiveness.
After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting to exclusively F-35A Lightning II training for the U.S. pilots at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantling F-16 equip- ment to prepare for F-35 operations.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Shaun Lovett, 56th Training Squadron chief of training systems, emphasized that Luke AFB will continue training U.S. and foreign partners.
The final U.S. F-16 training mission was flown at the end of September 2024 with the 309th Fighter Squadron. Now the base aims to enhance training capabilities through new simulators and systems, positioning itself as the epicenter for F-35A pilot training.
The Belgian Air Force operates the 312th FS, the 56th FW’s sixth F-35 fighter squadron, but they will not begin flying operations until 2025. As the role of the F-35 grows in the Air Force, improving the ability to simulate mis- sions with multiple F-35s is essential.
Robert McCutchen, 56th Training Squad- ron Networked Training Center operations manager, oversees site management, staff changes, and the withdrawal of F-16 training assets. This includes managing the disposal of F-16 systems and preparing the facility for F-35 training.
“With the addition of the Modified Mission Rehearsal Trainers, we will have enough simulator capacity to reliably replicate sce- narios involving anywhere from four to 12 F-35s alongside numerous simulated partner and sister service entities,” said Lovett. “This will enable students to experience high-level training across all mission sets our nation requires.”
“The final F-16 training mission concluded Sept. 30, 2024,” McCutchen stated. “After that, it will take seven months, from October to April, to dismantle the equipment.”
Luke AFB will feature the largest F-35 simulator operation in the world, with a total of 32 simulators. This capability will position the base as a focal point for F-35 pilot training, supporting the 56th FW’s mission to develop the world’s greatest fighter pilots.
This effort aims to dispose of outdated equipment while finding new employment or retirement options for affected workers.
“Upgrading electrical systems, replacing an elevator, and improving HVAC are a few of the changes needed to accommodate F-35 training,” McCutchen explained. “These up- dates are crucial to support new training re- quirements and simulators arriving in 2026.”
“We have both the capacity and capability to generate robust scenarios to continue train- ing the world’s best fighter pilots and remain prepared to bring the fight to our nation’s adversaries,” said Lovett.
With the end of U.S. F-16 training courses at Luke AFB, all current and future fighter pilot training will focus exclusively on the F-35 and its unique capabilities.
Although the U.S. training mission at Luke AFB will transition to the F-35 exclusively, the 56th FW will still support the F-16 train- ing mission with the Republic of Singapore Air Force out of the 425th FS at Luke AFB and a U.S. F-15C training mission with the 550th FS at Kingsley Field, Oregon.
McCutchen said classes will be adapted to fit the F-35’s more complex technology, such as stealth and advanced weapons, compared to the F-16.
Transitions like this contribute to the Air Force’s initiative of reoptimizing the Air Force toward the era of great power competition.
Twelve new, highly sought-after simulators will be added to the training building to meet
U.S. Air Force graduated pilots pose for a photo in front of an F-16 Fighting Falcon, assign Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub ing. This change will involve updating programs, remodeling infrastructure, and dismantli
U.S. Air Force
Capt. Reed Glosser (right), 309th Fighter Squadron graduate pilot, salutes Capt. Nick Belinski (left), 309th Fighter Squadron instructor pilot during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke
Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as
a training hub for F-16 pilots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training.
“There are currently five F-35 fighter squadrons flying at Luke AFB,” said Lovett. “We expect to add two more over the next two years.”
The 309th Fighter Squadron emblem is presented on the back of an F-16 Fighting Fal- con, during the final 309th FS graduation for F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots, Sept. 20, 2024, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. After nearly five decades as a training hub for F-16 pi- lots, the 56th Fighter Wing is shifting exclusively to F-35A Lightning II training.
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