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Luke Air Force Base Guide

Joe Wallace

Located in a suburb of Glendale, Arizona, Luke Air Force Base is the training hub for the world’s greatest fighter pilots. It traces its roots back to the build-up of the U.S. Army Air Corps just before World War II. Formerly known as Litchfield Park Air Base, the base was established in 1941 and later became Luke Field.

Almost immediately, Luke became one of our most important pilot training installations. Its first class of students began advanced flight training in June 1941. Throughout World War II, Luke was the U.S. Air Force’s largest fighter training base, graduating tens of thousands of pilots and earning the nickname “Home of the Fighter Pilot.” It closed in 1946 but reopened in 1951 in support of the Korean War.

Over the years, Luke transitioned through aircraft like the P-51 Mustang, F-100 Super Sabre, F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, and, from the 1980s onward, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and F-35 Lightning II. Today, it’s still a pilot training hub for the Air Force and is home to the 56th Fighter Wing. If you’re PCSing to Luke, this military base guide will help make your move as smooth as possible.

Luke Air Force Base Guide

• Location: Glendale, Arizona
• Zip Code: 85309
• Branch:  U.S. Air Force
• Main Mission/Notable units: The 56th Fighter Wing trains F-35 and F-16 pilots with support from the 944th FW and 607th ACS.
• Main Operator: 623-856-6011
• Population: ~5,300 Active Duty, ~2,400 Reservists, ~2,900 Civilians, ~ 6,700 Family Members, 80,000 Retirees
• Official Website: Luke Air Force Base

Arriving at Luke Air Force Base: Check-In & In-Processing

For those arriving during normal duty hours, report directly to your unit’s Commander’s Support Staff (CSS) in uniform, then go to the Military Personnel Section on the first floor of Building 1150 for in-processing. If you arrive after duty hours, your first stop should be the Fighter Country Inn (Building 660) to check in.

All students should report to the Fighter Country Inn (Building 660) for specific in-processing instructions. Finally, in-processing for civilian staff is held every other Monday from 8 A.M to 10 A.M at the Civilian Personnel Office in Building 1150, Room 1163.

Key Documents to Hand-Carry

• PCS orders
• Personal documents, including military ID/common access cards, marriage and birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passport
• Medical records for family and pets, including immunization records
• Leave and Earnings Statements
• Car insurance and registration
• School records
• Inventory of household goods shipment
• Vehicle bills of sale pertaining to vehicles
• Your sponsorship package

Newcomer’s Briefing

Your CSS will provide details for the mandatory Wing Orientation, which spouses are encouraged to attend, as well as the Medical Right Start held at the medical clinic every Tuesday at 9 A.M.

Luke Air Force Base Housing & Lodging

On-Base Housing

Housing on Luke AFB is privatized and managed by Luke Family Homes. On-base living consists of single-family units and townhomes across two distinct neighborhoods.

It is critical to contact the Military Housing Office (MHO) as soon as you receive your orders to get on the waitlist.

• Military Housing Office (MHO): 623-856-7643
• Privatized Housing Partner: Luke Family Homes | 623-388-3515

Off-Base Housing: Best Neighborhoods & Cities

Many service members and families live in the surrounding communities.

• Litchfield Park: Located just 3 miles south of the base, this area offers the shortest commute and a charming small-town feel with tree-lined streets.
• Goodyear: Known for its rapid growth and excellent shopping and dining options, this area is an 11-mile commute to base.
• Surprise: A popular choice for those seeking a more suburban feel with newer residential communities, Surprise is located approximately 10 to 15 miles from base.

Temporary Lodging (TLF) & On-Base Inn

The on-base inn is the Fighter Country Inn. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible, especially during peak PCS season. Pet-friendly units are limited; be sure to request one if needed.

• Reservations: 623-935-2641

Luke Air Force Base BAH, Cost of Living, and Allowances

Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on your rank, dependent status, and the base’s zip code. The cost of living is slightly higher than the national average.

-> See the 2026 BAH Rates for Luke Air Force Base, 85309.

Schools & Child Care Near Luke Air Force Base

Local School Districts

There are no schools on base. However, there are two elementary schools, Luke Elementary and Litchfield Elementary, located just outside the base gates and specifically serve the military housing areas.

In high school, students typically attend Agua Fria, Millennium, or Dysart High School, depending on their address. Because Arizona has open enrollment, students can also apply to any highly rated charter school or other public school in the area if space is available.

The School Liaison Office (SLO) is your primary resource for all questions regarding school registration, transfers, and local education options.

• School Liaison Office: 623-856-6378

Child Development Centers (CDC)

Luke Air Force Base offers a Child Development Center (CDC) for full-day, part-day, and hourly care, serving children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. All registration is managed through the central MilitaryChildCare.com website. Family Child Care (FCC) homes are also available.

Key Contacts: Luke Air Force Base Directory

• Base Operator: 623-856-6011
• Housing Office (MHO): 623-856-7643
• Privatized Housing: [623-388-3515
• Temporary Lodging (Inn): 623-935-2641
• In-Processing/Welcome Center: 623-856-4768
• School Liaison Office: 623-856-6378
• CDC Registration: MilitaryChildCare.com
• Medical Clinic / TRICARE: 623-856-2273
• Public Affairs Office: (623) 856-6011

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Luke Air Force Base

What is Luke Air Force Base famous for?

Luke Air Force Base is famous as the world’s largest fighter pilot training hub, serving as the “epicenter” for F-35 Lightning II and F-16 Fighting Falcon operations.

What is the zip code for Luke Air Force Base?

The official zip code for Luke Air Force Base is 85309. If you’re looking for parts of the base that bleed into the surrounding Glendale area, you might also see 85307 used.

Can civilians visit Luke Air Force Base?

Civilians can visit Luke Air Force Base, but they must be sponsored by someone with a valid DoD ID card. All guests aged 16 and older are required to undergo a background check and receive a DBIDS pass from Security Forces before entering.

What is the closest major airport to Luke Air Force Base?

The closest major airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), located approximately 27 miles east of the base in Phoenix, Arizona.

BASE MISSION AND UNITS

Luke Air Force Base trains the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen. As the host unit, the 56th Fighter Wing is the largest fighter wing in the Air Force and oversees F-35A Lightning II training and continued F-16 Fighting Falcon operations.

The base also houses the 944th Fighter Wing, which trains pilots and support personnel for the active-duty Air Force, Reserve, and Air National Guard. Other units based out of Luke include the 607th Air Control Squadron and the 56th Medical Group.

Luke Air Force Base History

Luke Air Force Base began in 1941 as Litchfield Park Air Base. When flight training classes began there, it had been redesignated as Luke Field. It became a large fighter training base during World War Two, training pilots in aircraft operations for the P-40 Warhawk, P-51 Mustang, and P-47 Thunderbolt.

Like many such bases, Luke Field was deactivated at the end of World War Two, only to be returned to service during the Korean War.

The base would change hands a few times, being transferred from Air Education and Training Command (AETC) to Air Tactical Command, only to revert to AETC in the 1990s. In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, Luke AFB would fly combat air patrols around New York and Washington D.C.

Luke Air Force Base also supported expeditionary operations as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Today, Luke AFB is home to the 56th Fighter Wing. The AETC base operates the largest F-16 Wing in the USA.

Related: Comprehensive Military Benefits Guide

Colleges and Universities

The Luke Air Force Base Education Center offers help with college and professional military education. You can take Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) and College Level Examination Programs (CLEP) tests here. Nearby colleges include:

• Northern Arizona University
• Estrella Mountain Community College
• Webster University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• Park University

Related: Ultimate GI Bill Guide

PCSing to Arizona

The State of Arizona offers veterans a variety of services and support via the Arizona Department of Veteran Services. These benefits include tuition waivers for qualifying veterans and financial assistance programs.

If you plan on shipping a pet as part of a relocation to Arizona, know that the summer months can complicate air travel for pets due to extreme heat. Military OneSource notes, “Airlines usually will not ship pets in or out from April to September. It is too hot, and it would endanger your pets.” It’s smart to plan an alternative form of travel for your animals when relocating to Arizona in the hottest months.

Air Force Bases in Arizona

• Luke AFB
• Davis-Monthan AFB

Army Bases In Arizona

• Fort Huachuca
• USAREC, Phoenix Battalion
• Yuma Proving Ground

Marine Corps Bases in Arizona

• Marine Corps Air Station Yuma

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Did you know? The State of Arizona offers tuition assistance to veterans and dependents of those wounded or killed in the line of duty. According to the Arizona Department of Veteran Services, “Veterans and surviving dependents eligible for the Tuition Waiver scholarship have tuition expenses waived for credits needed to obtain an undergraduate degree in any course of study.”

Learn more about Arizona veteran benefits

VA Facilities in Arizona

Are you a veteran or retiree looking for VA facilities in the State of Arizona? The following list includes addresses and contact numbers for VA healthcare clinics, vet centers, and VA National Cemeteries in the state.

VA Health Clinics In Arizona

Payson VA Clinic

903 East Highway 260
Suite 2
Payson, AZ 85541-4972
928-363-1081

Anthem VA Clinic

41810 North Venture Drive
Building B
Anthem, AZ 85086-3169
623-249-2300
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Cottonwood VA Clinic

501 South Willard Street
Cottonwood, AZ 86326-8120
928-649-1532
Mental health: 928-776-6071

Northeast Phoenix VA Clinic

11390 East Via Linda Road
Suite 105
Scottsdale, AZ 85259-4075
480-579-2200
Mental health: 480-579-2205

Thunderbird VA Clinic

9424 North 25th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85021-2714
602-633-6900
Mental health: 602-633-6900

Carl T. Hayden Veterans’ Administration Medical Center

650 East Indian School Road
Phoenix, AZ 85012-1839
602-277-5551
Mental health: 602-222-2752 x2752

Phoenix Midtown VA Clinic

5040 North 15th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85015-3328
602-234-7080

Phoenix VA Clinic

1500 East Thomas Road
Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)
Suite 106
Phoenix, AZ 85014-5748
602-248-6040

VA Benefits Sites in Arizona

VetSuccess on Campus at Arizona State University

301 E. Orange St
Memorial Student Union, Lower Level, Room 75
Tempe, AZ 85287
480-727-5627

Phoenix VA Regional Benefit Office

3333 North Central Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85012
800-827-1000

Pre-Discharge Site, Luke Air Force Base

7282 N 137th Avenue
Luke Air Force Base, 56 MSS/DFB Building 1113
AZ 85309
800-827-1212

VA Vet Centers in Arizona

Phoenix Vet Center

4020 North 20th Street
Suite 110
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-640-2981

VA National Cemeteries in Arizona

National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona

23029 N Cave Creek Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85024
480-513-3600

Other Military Bases in the Continental United States:

• Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas
• Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado
• Los Angeles Air Force Base, California
• Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California
• MacDill Air Force Base, Florida

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.