Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

West valley elected officials watch as an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing takes off for a training sortie during a tour at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on April 21st, 2026. Community leaders attended a wing mission brief, watched F-35A Lightning II departures and visited multiple squadrons to learn more about Luke AFB’s critical roles training premier F-35 pilots and strengthening partnerships with the local communities that support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

U.S. Air Force Col. John Ryan, 56th Fighter Wing deputy commander, speaks to West Valley elected officials during a tour, April 21, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The visit included the mayors of Buckeye and Wickenburg, along with council members representing nine surrounding West Valley cities. Engagements like this strengthen community partnerships, enhance transparency, and reinforce Luke AFB’s commitment to being a trusted neighbor while generating combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

Eric Osborn, mayor of Buckeye, Arizona, smiles during a visit, April 21, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During the visit, community leaders received a wing mission brief, observed F-35 Lightning II departures, visited the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight and spoke with pilots from the 62nd Fighter Squadron. The tour highlighted Luke AFB’s critical role in training the world’s premier F-35 pilots while strengthening partnerships with local communities that support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

Ray Malnar, vice mayor of Glendale, Arizona, inspects equipment at the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight during a tour, April 21, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The visit included the mayors of Buckeye and Wickenburg, Arizona, along with council members representing nine surrounding West Valley cities. Engagements like this strengthen community partnerships, enhance transparency and reinforce Luke AFB’s commitment to being a trusted neighbor while generating combat-ready airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

U.S. Air Force Capt. Beatrice Gorman, 56th Fighter Wing community liaison officer, speaks to Ginna Carico, City of Glendale intergovernmental programs director, during a tour at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on April 21st, 2026. The tour hosted civic representatives, including mayors, council members, and intergovernmental liaisons from across nine West Valley cities and towns. Such visits are vital to demonstrating the daily operations required to generate airpower and ensure our pilots and Airmen are always ready. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

West Valley elected officials listen to a flight equipment briefing given by a U.S. Air Force aircrew flight equipment specialist assigned to the 62nd Fighter Squadron, April 21, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. During the visit, community leaders received a wing mission brief, observed F-35 Lightning II departures, visited the 56th Equipment Maintenance Squadron fabrication flight and spoke with pilots from the 62nd Fighter Squadron. The tour highlighted Luke AFB’s critical role in training the world’s premier F-35 pilots while strengthening partnerships with local communities that support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

West valley elected officials watch as an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing takes off for a training sortie during a tour, April 21, 2026, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The tour hosted council members representing nine cities surrounding Luke AFB and aimed to strengthen community partnerships, enhance transparency, and reinforce commitment to being a trusted neighbor while generating combat-ready airpower as the world’s premier F-35A Lightning II pilot training location. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)

Luke AFB hosts West Valley leaders

Published April 27, 2026
56th Fighter Wing

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- West valley elected officials watch as an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 56th Fighter Wing takes off for a training sortie during a tour at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, on April 21st, 2026. Community leaders attended a wing mission brief, watched F-35A Lightning II departures and visited multiple squadrons to learn more about Luke AFB’s critical roles training premier F-35 pilots and strengthening partnerships with the local communities that support the mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson)