We spotted this flight of four F-16s over Wal Mart in Surprise, AZ today. We enjoy seeing the training that takes place at the Surprise Auxiliary Field – a part of Luke AFB in Phoenix. This group appeared to be maneuvering for a landing at the base.
This is from the official Luke AFB Site:
Luke is the largest and only active-duty F-16 training base in the world with over 135 F-16s assigned. We trained more than 430 F-16 pilots last year many of whom are student pilots who came to this base straight from pilot school to receive intense training on the F-16. These pilots graduate from Luke and proceed to combat assignments throughout the world.
Luke airmen are also deployed around the world in support of several contingency operations protecting U.S. interests abroad. Luke AFB trains more than 50 percent of the USAF’s fighter force and 90 percent of its F-16 pilots. Nearly every F-16 pilot flying in Afghanistan and Iraq was trained at Luke AFB. The F-16 represents the most fundamental form of Air Superiority, Global Attack, Rapid Global Mobility, and Precision Engagement. The pilots trained at Luke formed the backbone of USAF’s fighter force for Operations NOBLE EAGLE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.
We often see and hear flights over Wickenburg on their way to/from the Gladden One Military Operational Area, just to the North and West of our home. When the jets fly over us there, they are often too high to see even though we hear them. That is why we like to see them near their base because we can see them. God bless our Military!