Posted on 10/17/2009 8:01:36 AM PDT by Kimmers
I am asking you to send a letter of support in keeping Luke open for the F-35. The noise is such a small thing to contend with as the base contributes $ 2.17 billion each year to the AZ. economy, contract work worth millions of dollars each year and employs 8,000-plus. Immediate construction contracts of $125 million to $150 million. Arizona and the SW in general need this base and the pilots need the open space we offer. If you would send the info on to others in order to bring the F-35 to Luke. The sound of the F-35's is a very,very small price to pay for the freedom that the F-35 will bring to the USA. Go to www.lukeforward.com
http://lukeforward.com/#usermessagea
We should never keep a military base open just to benefit the local economy. That is a form of welfare. Military bases should be selected for their strategic advantage.
“We should never keep a military base open just to benefit the local economy.”
That is my sentiment.
It’s fun to watch teh training flights from Luke, but they are noisy after a while. Perhaps the base should be used to help control the flow of people and goods across the border.
Luke was strategicaly selected and perfect for fighter weapons training. They are now ensconced in the west valley and all of the local communities depend on their existence. Certain left-wing asshats want them gone just because it is the military. The sound of fighters taking off at 7:00am has a very good feeling.
Yes, and when Luke was built, it was out in the middle of nowhere and nothing around but cactus and rattlesnakes. Now, development has encroached and the base isn’t isolated any longer. My feeling is, the base was there first. Anyone who moves in after the base was there has no right to complain about the jet noise (the sound of freedom!).
LOL I like that idea ...
They told all of the developers this in the 80’s. The closest people at the time was Sun City. Those folks didn’t mind. I wouldn’t be surprised if 100 year agreements weren’t signed between the communities and the base for furthur development.
You both have brought up an excellent point.
Is this really needed? Is this location important in our national defense and do we need to keep it open just to benefit the local economy (welfare).....if anything this may start some interesting discussions.....
The last time this discussion came up we had a new El Presidente. Guess who? This is entirely political.
Unless we are expecting a war with Mexico, an airforce base in Arizona seems like a boondoggle. Our F35s should be located where they can best be deployed in case of war. This would apparently be near a coastal port. But what do I know?
Not much. The training ranges in SW AZ is where they go and qualify to move forward. Many different scenarios are presented and they are trained on all of them. An Xbox doesn’t cut it.
My sentiments exactly. I have little sympathy for someone that complains about the noise at any airbase, especially since Luke was built out in the sticks at the time (1940s). Did the people believe their relators when they said there's just a small airport in the area?
There's a lot of reasons why Luke was chosen to be a base and the economy wasn't a top reason. The weather affords year around training and the open areas and relative small commercial and civil air traffic make it ideal. Try to run a fighter training wing around New York or Philadelphia.
The last BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) legislation was in 2005 and only two small installations in Arizona were closed. I haven't heard about any future rounds of base closures. I think Luke AFB will remain for decades to come with or without the F-35 mission.
It was during the 30’s and I came across a part of the range that was undisturbed about 17 years ago. Prince Albert cans strewn about and Dodge Brothers cars used as early targets. (The logos are still intact)
So, you are asking conservatives to keep a military base open based on welfare versus the necessity of national defense?
You don't suppose this has anything to do with Sheriff Joe and the allegations of racial profiling, do you?
Nah! It was a Clinton thing and now its an Obama thing. It’s about “community awareness” of the devil next door. They hate the military complex. It’s the one area they cannot crack. That’s why the gay issue is all over it. It’s all a big game to them.
I this base really needed ?
Good question.... Luke apparently is the training facility for the F-16 which is in the process of being phased out of time. The F-16 is to be replaced by the F-35. There are some 200 locations vying for the honor. So if they don’t get the F-35 it may well be shut down as not needed.
From an article in AZCentral....
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/10/14/20091014luke1015.html
snip
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer and West Valley leaders on Wednesday launched a broad public campaign to have Luke Air Force Base named a training location for the new F-35 fighter jet.
The Glendale military installation is the world’s largest training base for the F-16 fighter, which is to be phased out by the F-35 in the coming years.
The stakes could hardly be higher: If the Defense Department
passes over Luke for the new fighter, Brewer warned that the base will “be probably closed down,” costing the state thousands of jobs and more than $2 billion a year in estimated economic impact.....
Luke is expected to be among 200 military bases considered for the F-35 on a preliminary list to be released shortly by the Pentagon.
end snips
Speaking of Sheriff Joe, that ole boy has created his own army the fed must deal with. (The army of law) LOL!
Proximity to the range will win. It is most valuable.
Proximity to the range will win. It is most valuable.
I’d lean towards politics being the one that will win. I’m not sure that value as we would see it will be the most important. JMO.
If people do not like noise from freedom-fighting aircraft. they should not live in houses near air stations. Simple fix. Move.
I'm not complaining and neither is my sister.She's basically apolitical so has no strong feelings (that I know of) about the military...either positive or negative.And as for the noise,she says that you get used to it.As for me,I think it's kinda cool..especially on those rare occasions when I see fighter jets taking off.They,too,are LOUD.
If I wasn't pushing 60 and had a metal hip and a bad ticker this old Army desk jockey would be at the AF (or Navy) recruiting office saying..."I wanna fly one of those!".
This may be part of the reason for the closure Politic plays a large part in where the military bases are. Sen Stevens has got bases for ALASKA for years. Keeping the bases was always a part of his reelection campaign. The members of Congress my not have power any more.
Sorry. I am at Eglin AFB and we need the F-35 too.
Luke AFB is not something that is replaceable. Neither are the AK bases. It’s the lunatic fringe vs the ones who understand human traits.
Eglin will get their share of experimentation. Luke AFB is a pipeline for pilots to make it or wash. Eglin does not have that charge.
I THOUGHT THE F-35 was scale back. this take can’t be done anywhere else ?
Anywhere else?
The F-35’s can only fly at Luke?
Luke is a training base. They are NOT active. They are learning. Please understand that training and active is different. Guide yourself through the steps of your life. Fighter School is hard and everyone doesn’t make it. Yes, Luke is the place. Period.
So you propose to take the mission from Luke and send it where?
The article has nothing to do with the mission. Capitalism is still America and business opening around the base is normal. Cities springing up around the base ia normal. What degree of understanding life are you currently in?
Of course it can’t be done anywhere else. The ranges closed to public access signify various aspects of world training. I have personnally set-up some of these areas and I can imagine nowhere else this is possible.
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