Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Statement

"Today's announcement that Luke Air Force Base is the preferred location for the new F-35 Pilot Training Center is a testament to Arizona's great team effort.

"And, what an outstanding team it is -- including Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs, the congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, county officials, city and town officials, citizens, businesses and the Luke Forward campaign created by Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown -- and Fighter Country Partnership.

"Having Luke selected as the F-35 training center was personal for me. Luke is in my backyard, and I was a founding member of Luke's Fighter Country Partnership.

"In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley before the selection, and in leading a delegation of Arizona officials to meetings at the Pentagon, I noted Luke is the perfect location for this advanced fighter aircraft given the fact that Arizona has state statutes in place to manage growth around our military installations that protect their missions. I reminded him of Luke's unique assets -- including its proximity to the 2.7-million acre Barry M. Goldwater Range, key to air-to-ground combat training, along with 57,000 cubic miles of airspace overhead where pilots practice air-to-air maneuvers and engage targets on the ground.

"It is my hope that Tucson International Airport should and will ultimately prevail in the future for the F-35 mission, especially with its continued strength in the training of foreign pilots in the F-16. No other area in the country can compare in size, scope and tactical training ability.

"I cannot over emphasize how important the 162nd Fighter Wing, Marine Corps Station Yuma, and Luke AFB are to the vitality of the Arizona Comeback, as are Arizona's other vital military installations. Each installation brings sizable economic impact within its relative community. More importantly, the military and civilian personnel who serve our nation every day, as well as their families, provide tremendous sacrifice and deserve our unending support. Their contributions to the civility and patriotism of our entire State are invaluable.

"As the F-16 is phased out of inventory, basing the F-35 in these locations will ensure their operational mission for years to come. Luke Air Force Base has an annual economic impact of $2.1 billion. The 162nd Fighter Wing has approximately a $280 million annual economic impact. In Yuma, construction projects for the fighter are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, and the attendant jobs created are guaranteed to stimulate the economies in Glendale, Yuma and Tucson.

"Though final selection is subject to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process now underway, it is not too early for me to say thank you to all who worked so hard to make this day come, and I am proud to be your teammate on this important mission."

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