Luke gets F-35 training center

Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., has been selected as an F-35 pilot training center, joining Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The base west of Phoenix was competing with bases in Tucson, Ariz., New Mexico and Idaho for the mission. Glendale officials said the base will get 72 F-35s to train U.S. and foreign pilots. Air Force officials said Luke was chosen because of facility and ramp capacity, range access, weather, as well as capacity for future growth. (Source: AP via Air Force Times, Arizona Republic, 08/01/12)