Luke AFB, AZ (USA)

Luke Days 2018

17-18 March 2018

The number 5 aircraft broke down on Saturday and the B model was used that day. It was not visible anymore on Sunday, so most likely it was inside a hangar for repair.

Luke Day 2018 caused some rescheduling by a lot of people by changing their show date to a week later. This change was to do with the fact that the USAF Thunderbirds were not ready to perform at that date. Luckily the US Navy Blue Angels had a gap in their schedule following the cancelation of the Davis Monthan AFB (AZ) airshow.

As credited media Scramble was allowed to enter the showgrounds just after sunrise, at 7am. This gave us about two hours to walk across the static displays without any crowds. The static was parked across Luke major platform/flightline at the south-end of the base. Most aircraft had only a thin rope around the aircraft to mark their spot, while others were tucked away in the sunsheds, All which makes taking photos very difficult. Butt being early gave us the opportunity to make some descent photos.

Security at the end of the static display was quite tight, as soon as you pointed your camera to the flightlines of operational aircraft, you were summoned to take it away. The funny part was, that while you took a binocular, there was an issue.

The flying display started towards the end of the morning, and started with the USAF parachute team, and the National Anthem. Unfortunately on Sunday, things went wrong as one of the jumpers failed to correctly attach the flag to his suit, and the start and stripes fell to the earth. The flying display started slow with many small prop aircraft and a glider, and the quite impressive display of aircraft and pyrotechnics of Tora-Tora-Tora It was only after noon when the real jet power started and some disappointments.

While Luke is a large airbase with over a hundred Jets, only 2 F-16s and 1 F-35 took off on Sunday, while the Saturday it were 2 F-35s. The aircraft took off from the far runway, as the spectators were placed next to the nearest runway(03R-21L) making it logical due noise concerns. The assault demo was nice and some fast passes were made by the jets. A MC-130J flying out Phoenix Goodyear airport supported with paratroopers.
After the display the jets again landed on the far runway, and disappeared into the flightlines, in my opinion they should have landed, taxied passed the crowds for some interaction with that crowd, something that did not happen.

After this display it was again some small props and a Bo105 from Red Bull. Followed by a P-51C mustang and CT-133. When the A-10 display went up into the sky for their display (after absence for a couple of years) the sun was in such position that good photography was mere impossible. The A-10 was followed by the Heritage flight with the F-22 flying out of MCAS Yuma. The show was wrapped by a stunning display of the US Navy Blue angels.

We would like to thank the Luke POA for offering us the media access and good care for the 2018 Luke days.

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