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Campaign History

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Luke Forward Circa 2009

Luke Forward Then – Ready for the Future

Luke Forward logo 2009In 2009, Luke Forward was launched as a broad public campaign to secure the F-35 training mission at Luke Air Force Base. The campaign was created by the West Valley Partners (Maricopa County and the cities and towns within the county west of Interstate 17) and Fighter Country Partnership to generate awareness and support of the positive impacts the F-35 will bring to Arizona. The goal was to show decision-makers in Washington, D.C., that Arizona strongly supports Luke Air Force Base continuing to serve as the nation’s premier fighter pilot training facility.

On Aug 1, 2012, the U.S. Air Force announced its final selection of Luke as the first F-35 training center. In November 2012 Luke Forward received Westmarc’s Special 20th Anniversary Best of the West Award for championing one of the West Valley’s biggest accomplishments — Luke Air Force Base landing the F-35 training center. Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Fighter Country Partnership Chair Charley Freericks received the award on behalf of everyone involved in the successful campaign.

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Luke Forward Circa 2020

Luke Forward Now – To  Serve Those Who Serve Us

Luke Forward logo 2019In 2018, Luke Forward was rebooted as Fighter Country began planning a 5.82M capital campaign to support the Airmen, their families and all the armed forces who serve at Luke Air Force Base. The projects funded by this campaign will dramatically impact the lives and morale of our servicemen and women, and demonstrate in a concrete way that we value those who are committed to protecting us.

As of August 2024, the following projects have been completed leaving the Honor Guard Facility, Food Pantry and the in-progress CDC to complete.

Luke Forward Projects Completed

  • Flight Line Kitchen
  • Fire Station Kitchen
  • DEK Hockey Rink
  • New Security Forces Guard Mount
  • Heritage Rooms Completed –
    • 61st FS, 62nd FS, 310th FS, 308th FS, 63rd FS and the 309th FS

Honor Guard Training Facility

Luke AFB Honor Guard Facility 3D rendering
Air-conditioned 3,300 SF for indoor training, storage and adminstration
Covered area for larger detail training and drill.

The Luke Honor Guard is a uniformed group of men and women who present the flags at a variety of ceremonial occasions. They are Luke Air Force Base’s most visible presence in the community – annually performing more than 800 funerals and 144 other color guard details that include retirements, POW/MIA table ceremonies, sporting events and more.

The Honor Guard is composed of volunteers who, in addition to their regular duties, respond to honor calls within a 52,000-square-mile area of Arizona – from Page to Yuma and from Parker to Globe.

Unlike most Air Force Installations, Luke’s Honor Guard does not have a dedicated space for training or storage. They learn, drill, and practice year-round outside in the elements, including the Arizona summer heat after spending lengthy and demanding periods of time supporting important events in their community.

Fighter Country Foundation has secured nearly $1,900,000 toward the goal of $2,100,000 to build a dedicated Honor Guard Training Facility. The facility will include an air-conditioned 3,300-square-foot space for training, storage, administration, and an adjacent covered area for larger detail training and drill – finally giving these dedicated individuals a place of their own.

Help us support Luke’s Honor Guard as they honorably serve Luke Air Force Base and the State of Arizona.