GLENDALE, Ariz — Luke Air Force Base has been where United States fighter pilots learned how to fly the country's top warplane, the F-16 Falcon, for four decades.
But that ended on Monday because the base is switching to the more advanced F-35A Lightning II aircraft.
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Después de 40 años, la Fuerza Áerea de Estados Unidos dejará de entrenar a sus pilotos del F-16 en la Luke Air Force Base
“I’d say it’s more of a transition, you know fighter training is not going away from Luke, the 309th fighter squadron is not going away, we’re just transitioning to the F-35 and it’s more of a modernization than an end,” said Lt. Col. Mike Ress.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
12News was there as the last U.S. training mission for the storied F-16 took to the skies.
“The fact that we’ve been able to do 40 plus years of service with the F-16 and it’s not based on one person’s efforts, so it’s been a team effort both on the military side and the community with great community support here at Luke Air Force Base," said Ress.
After this week the only F-16 to take to Valley skies at the base will be flown by partner countries of the United States.
The F-16 is not going away entirely, at least for now. Training for the aircraft is moving to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
>> Live, local, breaking. Download the 12News app
Watch 12News+ for free
You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app!
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.
Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives.
Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX."
Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account, or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona.