Luke Air Force Base

Branch: U.S. Air Force
Location: Glendale, Arizona (unincorporated Maricopa County, near Glendale and Litchfield Park)
Installation Type: Air Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Luke Air Force Base is located approximately 20 miles west-northwest of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, in the western Phoenix metropolitan area. Established in 1941 and named after First Lieutenant Frank Luke Jr., a World War I ace and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient from Arizona, Luke AFB is the largest fighter pilot training base in the world. The installation’s primary mission is F-35A Lightning II pilot training for the U.S. Air Force and international partner nations.

Mission & Units

Primary Mission: F-35A Lightning II fighter pilot training — producing combat-ready F-35 pilots for the U.S. Air Force and international partners.
Major Units:
56th Fighter Wing (host wing — world’s largest fighter wing by aircraft and pilot production)
56th Operations Group
56th Maintenance Group
56th Mission Support Group
56th Medical Group
61st Fighter Squadron (“Top Dogs”)
62nd Fighter Squadron (“Spads”)
63rd Fighter Squadron (“Panthers”)
308th Fighter Squadron (F-35A)
309th Fighter Squadron (F-35A)
310th Fighter Squadron (F-35A, associate)
425th Fighter Squadron (Royal Netherlands and other partner nation training)
Tenant Units: Various international partner nation detachments conducting F-35 training; Air Force Reserve associate units

Location & Access

Nearest Major City: Phoenix, AZ (approximately 20 miles east); Glendale, AZ (approximately 5 miles east); Goodyear and Litchfield Park are immediately adjacent
Nearest Commercial Airport: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), approximately 25 miles east; Phoenix-Goodyear Airport (GYR), approximately 8 miles south (limited commercial service)
Gate Access: Luke AFB has multiple gates; primary gate is staffed 24/7 for CAC holders. Visitor Control Center processes visitor passes during normal duty hours. Real ID-compliant identification required. Contact 56th Security Forces Squadron for current gate hours and visitor procedures.

Population

Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000 to 8,000
Family Members: Approximately 10,000 to 14,000
Civilian Employees: Approximately 2,500 to 4,000
Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000 to 30,000 (including contractors and transient students)

Key Facilities

Medical: 56th Medical Group — comprehensive outpatient clinic with primary care, dental, mental health, pharmacy, optometry, and OB/GYN; major surgical and specialty care referred to Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center or Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix; Tricare network providers are extensive throughout the Phoenix metro
Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary; one of the busier commissaries in the Air Force given the large population
Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large Base Exchange (BX) with full retail, food court, gas station, car care, and specialty concessions
Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers (Hangar 56 Fitness Center is the main facility); outdoor pools; tennis courts; golf course (Falcon Dunes Golf Course); bowling center; outdoor recreation; youth sports programs
Schools: Litchfield Elementary School District and Agua Fria Union High School District serve most military dependents; no DoDEA school on installation; several highly rated schools in the West Valley area; private school options available throughout the Phoenix metro
Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base with multiple locations; high demand and waitlists are common — families should apply for enrollment as soon as PCS orders are received; School Age Program also available
Veterinary Services: Veterinary Treatment Facility on base — services for military working dogs and eligible pet owners; appointments required; extensive civilian veterinary options available throughout the Phoenix metro area
Legal Assistance / JAG: Staff Judge Advocate office located on base — legal assistance by appointment; powers of attorney and notary services typically available on a walk-in basis during duty hours

Housing

On-Base Housing: Managed by Hunt Companies (Henness Flats and other neighborhoods); a mix of 2, 3, and 4-bedroom homes for various grades; some newer construction and renovated units; overall housing quality is generally good
Average Wait Time: Varies by grade and family size; some grades experience wait times of 30 to 90 days; higher grades may have shorter waits
Off-Base Housing: Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Peoria, Surprise, Glendale, and Avondale are popular communities; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges from approximately $1,800 to $2,600 per month (2024 estimates); home purchase prices have risen significantly in the Phoenix metro area
BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

Sponsorship Program: Sponsors assigned through gaining unit; contact your gaining unit’s orderly room or first sergeant to request a sponsor; the 56th Fighter Wing has a robust sponsorship program given the large annual student throughput
In-Processing: Report to the 56th Mission Support Group and Military Personnel Flight; in-processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days; newcomer orientation briefings cover the installation and local area
EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the 56th Medical Group EFMP office; the Phoenix metro area has extensive civilian specialist resources for EFMP enrollees; enrollment is required prior to PCS for eligible family members — contact the EFMP coordinator early in the PCS process

Local Area & Quality of Life

Climate: Hot desert (Sonoran Desert); extremely hot summers (temperatures regularly exceed 110 degrees F June through August); mild and pleasant winters (highs 60 to 75 degrees F); very low humidity; minimal rainfall; extensive sunshine year-round
Cost of Living: Moderate to moderately high — Phoenix metro has seen significant cost increases in recent years particularly in housing, though overall costs remain below major coastal metros; groceries and everyday expenses are near national average
Nearby Attractions: Estrella Mountain Regional Park (hiking, mountain biking); Goodyear Ballpark (MLB spring training); Old Town Scottsdale (dining, arts, nightlife); Grand Canyon (approximately 3.5 hours); Sedona (approximately 2 hours); Lake Pleasant Regional Park
Spouse Employment: Strong and growing job market in the Phoenix metropolitan area; major sectors include healthcare, semiconductor and high-tech manufacturing (Intel, TSMC), financial services, education, and retail; one of the better employment markets in the Southwest

Contact & Resources

Official Website: https://www.luke.af.mil/
Main Installation Phone: (623) 856-1110
MWR Website: https://www.luke.af.mil/Units/56-FSS/ (56th Force Support Squadron)
ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), 56th Force Support Squadron — contact via main installation directory or (623) 856-6719 (verify current number upon arrival)

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: Training knowledge base; https://www.luke.af.mil/; DTMO BAH reference