{"id":2443939,"date":"2025-06-06T13:34:02","date_gmt":"2025-06-06T17:34:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/luke-air-force-base-near-phoenix-faces-possible-downgrade-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-06-06T13:35:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-06T17:35:10","slug":"luke-air-force-base-near-phoenix-faces-possible-downgrade-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/luke-air-force-base-near-phoenix-faces-possible-downgrade-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix faces possible downgrade &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fluke-air-force-base-near-phoenix-faces-possible-downgrade-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2443939&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Luke Air Force Base, located near Phoenix, Arizona, is facing the possibility of a downgrade according to U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh. During a recent hearing, he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/n-c-sheriff-says-hell-ask-court-to-release-body-cam-footage-of-andrew-brown-jr-shooting\/\" title=\"N.C. sheriff says he\u2019ll ask court to release body cam footage of Andrew Brown Jr. shooting\">received confirmation<\/a> from General David W. Allvin, the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff, regarding this matter. Hamadeh emphasized the base&#8217;s importance for both local residents and national security, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/is-kevin-faulconer-californias-next-scrawny-schwarzenegger\/\" title=\"Is Kevin Faulconer California\u2019s Next (Scrawny) Schwarzenegger?\">expressing confidence<\/a> in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth&#8217;s decision-making regarding the base&#8217;s future.<\/p>\n<p>Luke Air Force Base, named after Medal of Honor recipient 2nd Lt Frank Luke Jr., has a historic legacy in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/belarus-training-afghans-and-iraqis-with-military-experience-to-attack-polish-border-claims-fmr-ambassador\/\" title=\"Belarus Training Afghans and Iraqis with Military Experience to Attack Polish Border, Claims Fmr Ambassador\">military aviation<\/a>, notably training a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >critically important portion<\/a> of the world&#8217;s F-35 pilots.Hamadeh acknowledged the importance of maintaining the base&#8217;s stature for international relations and affirmed that a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/search-and-rescue-continues-after-surfside-condo-building-is-demolished\/\" title=\"Search and rescue continues after Surfside condo building is demolished\">unified command<\/a> structure is crucial for its continued effectiveness and recognition.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix faces possible downgrade<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2141333\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Luke Air Force Base near <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/phoenix\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Phoenix<\/a> is being considered for a downgrade.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/arizona\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Arizona<\/a>, heard that confirmed when he asked&nbsp;General David W. Allvin, the U.S. Air Force chief of staff, about the base during a hearing this week.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/3433753\/newsom-hollywood-ambassador-jon-voight\/\">Newsom meets with Trump Hollywood ambassador Jon Voight<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3433702\/scott-jennings-pepto-bismol-trump-musk-feud\/\">Scott Jennings needs Pepto Bismol to break down Trump-Musk feud<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3433658\/trump-administration-asks-supreme-court-layoffs-education-department\/\">Trump administration asks Supreme Court to allow layoffs at Education Department<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;While I support and appreciate the need to reduce the bloat in our military at the top, we cannot ignore the importance of Luke Air Force Base &ndash; not only to those of us who call CD8 home, but to our nation&rsquo;s national security,&rdquo; Hamadeh told The Center Square.<\/p>\n<p>Hamadeh went on to state he has &ldquo;the utmost confidence&rdquo; in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to make the appropriate evaluation and act accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;That being said, I have full confidence the final evaluation will recognize that the men and women who serve Luke Air Force Base deserve nothing but the very best from us,&rdquo; said Hamadeh, a former U.S. Army Reserve captain and intelligence officer, during Thursday&rsquo;s interview.<\/p>\n<p>Located in Glendale, Luke Air Force Base is named after&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.afhistoryandmuseums.af.mil\/About-Us\/Fact-Sheets\/Article\/994275\/2nd-lt-frank-luke-jr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2nd Lt Frank Luke Jr.,<\/a>&nbsp;the first aviator awarded the Medal of Honor. Luke shot down more than a dozen airplanes and balloons during World War I. In the mid-1940s, pilots of Luke Air Force Base&rsquo;s 56th Fighter Wing destroyed more enemy planes than any other Army Air Force group in the 8th Air Force.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3432025\/katie-hobbs-vetoes-bill-china-buying-land\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">KATIE HOBBS VETOES BILL BANNING CHINA FROM BUYING LAND NEAR MILITARY BASES IN ARIZONA<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>During the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepAbeHamadeh\/status\/1930707715602714690?t=euaBV1yq5JjBir8vJXdf2w&amp;s=03\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exchange<\/a>&nbsp;with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.af.mil\/About-Us\/Biographies\/Display\/Article\/108725\/david-w-allvin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Allvin<\/a>, who did undergraduate pilot training at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona, Hamadeh noted Luke Air Force Base is still important today, as it trains 75% of the world&rsquo;s F-35 pilots.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I know image and stature matter with our foreign partners quite substantially, and it&rsquo;s important to keep a unified command behind a one-star general at Luke Air Force Base,&rdquo; Hamadeh said during Wednesday&rsquo;s hearing.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2141333\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2141333\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Luke Air Force Base near Phoenix may face a downgrade, confirmed by U.S. Rep. Abe Hamadeh during a hearing with General David W. Allvin, the Air Force chief of staff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2443940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AP24211597969676-scaled-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[3998,56683,39304,17773,32076],"class_list":["post-2443939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-defense","tag-luke-air-force-base","tag-military-news","tag-phoenix","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/AP24211597969676-scaled-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2443939"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443939\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2443943,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2443939\/revisions\/2443943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2443940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2443939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2443939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2443939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}