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End of an era: the last USAF F-16 flight from Luke AFB
March 26, 2025 (by
Lieven Dewitte) -
For nearly 45 years, Luke Air Force Base has been synonymous with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, training thousands of pilots and maintaining a crucial role in the aircraft’s legacy. However, with the U.S. Air Force shifting its focus to fifth-generation platforms like the F-35 Lightning II, the base has now bid farewell to its last operational F-16.
On March 24, the final F-16 flight (
Luke AFB has played a vital role in the development of F-16 pilots since the early 1980s. As one of the premier training bases, it has been instrumental in preparing pilots for combat missions worldwide. The 56th Fighter Wing, known as the "Thunderbolts," has trained generations of F-16 aviators, ensuring air superiority for the U.S. and its allies.
The departure of the F-16 from Luke comes as the Air Force continues to modernize its fleet. The transition to the F-35 allows for enhanced multi-role capabilities, aligning with the service’s long-term strategic goals. Luke AFB began transitioning F-16 squadrons into F-35 squadrons in the early 2000s, the 309th FS being the last to transition out of the six fighter squadrons on base.
The F-16 pilot training program began over 42 years ago in 1983 and has graduated over 20 thousand pilots since. The final class of F-16 student pilots graduated from the 309th FS in September 2024, and the last local training sortie was in February of 2025.
Luke AFB will continue to fly and train F-16 Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter pilots and maintainers from the 425th FS until they transition to Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, in the coming years. Other than that, their focus now shifts entirely to the F-35 program. The base is already home to a significant F-35 training mission, providing instruction to pilots from the U.S. and partner nations. With the phase-out of the F-16 complete, Luke will further solidify its role as a key center for fifth-generation fighter training.
The final F-16 flight from Luke AFB represents the end of an iconic era for the base and the aircraft’s training mission there. While the Fighting Falcon leaves behind a storied legacy, its departure paves the way for the next generation of airpower. As Luke AFB fully transitions to the F-35, the base remains at the forefront of fighter pilot training, ensuring continued air dominance for years to come.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, climbs into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon to pilot the final U.S. F-16 flight out of Luke Air Force Base, March 24, 2025, delivering it to the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB. This flight concludes the divestment of the remaining U.S. F-16s, ending this chapter for the 309th FS as it prepares to transition to the F-35A Lightning II. [USAF photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson]
Luke AFB has played a vital role in the development of F-16 pilots since the early 1980s. As one of the premier training bases, it has been instrumental in preparing pilots for combat missions worldwide. The 56th Fighter Wing, known as the "Thunderbolts," has trained generations of F-16 aviators, ensuring air superiority for the U.S. and its allies.
The departure of the F-16 from Luke comes as the Air Force continues to modernize its fleet. The transition to the F-35 allows for enhanced multi-role capabilities, aligning with the service’s long-term strategic goals. Luke AFB began transitioning F-16 squadrons into F-35 squadrons in the early 2000s, the 309th FS being the last to transition out of the six fighter squadrons on base.
The F-16 pilot training program began over 42 years ago in 1983 and has graduated over 20 thousand pilots since. The final class of F-16 student pilots graduated from the 309th FS in September 2024, and the last local training sortie was in February of 2025.
Luke AFB will continue to fly and train F-16 Republic of Singapore Air Force fighter pilots and maintainers from the 425th FS until they transition to Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, in the coming years. Other than that, their focus now shifts entirely to the F-35 program. The base is already home to a significant F-35 training mission, providing instruction to pilots from the U.S. and partner nations. With the phase-out of the F-16 complete, Luke will further solidify its role as a key center for fifth-generation fighter training.
The final F-16 flight from Luke AFB represents the end of an iconic era for the base and the aircraft’s training mission there. While the Fighting Falcon leaves behind a storied legacy, its departure paves the way for the next generation of airpower. As Luke AFB fully transitions to the F-35, the base remains at the forefront of fighter pilot training, ensuring continued air dominance for years to come.
Additional images:
U.S. Air Force 56th Fighter Wing Airmen watch the final U.S. F-16 taxis to the runway, March 24, 2025, on the flightline at Luke Air Force Base, preparing to fly to the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB. [USAF photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson]
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Ress, 309th Fighter Squadron commander, walks out of the 309th FS to pilot the final U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon flight out of Luke Air Force Base, March 24, 2025, delivering it to the 16th Weapons Squadron at Nellis AFB. [USAF photo by Senior Airman Katelynn Jackson]
The millionth F-16 flying training hour at Luke AFB was reached on March 13th, 2013. F-16s first touched down at Luke AFB on December 6th, 1982. To date, Luke has graduated 18,164 F-16 fighter pilots. Approximately 2,000 F-16 hours are flown a month by Luke pilots and students. This photo shows F-16D block 42 #89-2157 from the 309th FS. [USAF photo by A1C. Devante Williams]
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