LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, AZ -- For nearly 70 years the sounds of fighters have roared over the West Valley near Luke Air Force Base.
"Since 1941, Luke's mission has been to serve as a training base for pilots. We do not expect the roll to change," said Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs.
But now with the Air Force retiring the F-16, the future of the base rests on the future of the new F-35.
The F-35 is the newest jet in the Air Force's arsenal. But up until Wednesday, there was no decision about which bases would get the new fighter.
"Luke Air Force Base is the perfect location for this advanced fighter aircraft," said Governor Jan Brewer.
A campaign is officially being launched to bring F-35s to the base and keep it alive, according to a new announcement.
On Wednesday the Governor and community leaders met to launch the new campaign, called Luke Forward.
Fighter Country Partnership started the
Luke Forward website where community members can register to show their support for the facility.
"The campaign is designed to bring that important community support component and let Washington D.C. know that we are mission-ready," said Scruggs.
If Luke gets the F-35, the surrounding communities will keep the economic impact of $2.17 billion a year.
But not all communities are jumping on board quite yet.
The City of El Mirage isn't sold on the new jets.
"Luke Air Force Base we support, the F-35s we're not there yet, but we remain neutral, we're not opposing it," said El Mirage Spokesperson Stacy Pearson.
The city wants to know more, mainly about how loud the new jets will be.
"We're asking them to bring the jets, let us measure the noise and then let's figure out what the options are for El Mirage," said Pearson.
A list of possible bases for the F-35 could be released this month with a narrowed list by early 2010.
"We fully expect Luke Air Force Base to be on that short list of preferred sites," said Scruggs.
The final choice will be made in 2011.
