Retired German air force Maj. Gen. Hans Juergen Merkle, former commander of the Cactus Starfighter Squadron, shares the history of the Cactus Starfighter Squadron with members of the 310th Fighter Squadron, Oct. 18, 2019, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. In 1958, German air force pilots trained to fly the F-104 Starfighter and F-84 Thunderjet at Luke AFB; more than 2,500 pilots earned their wings when the program ended in 1983. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Leala Marquez)