The 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., received its first F-35A this week. The jet is the first for the squadron, which is tasked with advanced pilot training, and the 51st jet assigned to Luke, according to a base news release. Squadron commander Lt. Col. Matt Vedder flew the flagship jet to Luke from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas. “It’s a monumental day and a huge milestone for the base,” Vedder said.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.