Luke Air Force Base ready for F-35 fighter

GLENDALE, AZ - It looks like the Air Force's newest fighter jet could be coming to Luke Air Force Base in Glendale.

"It gets really busy, it's full of military people," said Areumn Yang.

Yang, a waitress at Takamatsu near Luke Air Force Base, relies on her tips for money.

"Most of the time military people from the Luke Air Force Base," Yang explained.

That's why she's pleased to hear about the base being chosen as the preferred base for the new F-35 fighter.

"Instead of having us be one of three bases were are now on top," said Steve Yamamori with the Fighter Country Partnership.

The Fighter Country Partnership has been out front in lobbying for the jet but they know there's still a long way to go before the final decision is made.

The next step is the environmental impact study or EIS.

"The EIS draft hearings that are coming up the first of the year is the perfect place for anybody with concerns or support to come out and voice their opinion," Yamamori said.

Officials with Luke understand there's a long way to go.

"This was a very good announcement, it's encouraging but it's only a milestone in a very long process that we're working through," said Director of Community Initiatives at Luke Air Force Base Lt. Col. (Ret) Rusty Mitchell.

But to Areumn, the Fighter Country Partnership and Luke Air Force Base, the F-35 should come to Arizona.

"It makes sense to continue the mission here," said Mitchell.

After the EIS and public meetings a final decision should be made in the summer of 2011.