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LUKE AIR FORCE BASE: IN-DEPTH WELCOME CENTER


By Chris Walker
Welcome to Phoenix, Arizona, home of Luke Air Force Base. Named for World War I flying ace and native of Phoenix Lieutenant Frank Luke, the first aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. Built in 1941, it served as one of the largest US military bases during WWII.

Home to the Air Corps Advanced Flying Schools, it trains 75% of the world’s F-35 pilots and hosts many from partner nations including Australians, Italians, Dutch, Singaporean, and Norwegians. It is also home to the 56th and 944th Fighter Wings as well as all supporting commands with 4,300 active duty, 1,300 reserve, and 1,300 civilian personnel.

Continue reading for our in-depth guide on Luke AFB to help aid you in your transition to your new post home.

  1. Where Is Luke Air Force Base?
  2. Luke AFB Map View
  3. Getting There – Directions to Luke Air Force Base
  4. Entering Luke AFB and Base Amenities
  5. Where Should I Live Near Luke AFB?
  6. What Schools are Near Luke AFB?
  7. What’s the Weather Like in Luke AFB?
  8. Things to Do Near Luke AFB

Where Is Luke Air Force Base?

Located in Glendale, Arizona, west of the city of Phoenix, approximately a 30-minute drive from the center of town or Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Glendale has a population of around 250,700 and is in the country of Maricopa, home to 4.3 million residents.

Luke AFB

South Gate, Bldg 879 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-4768

Luke AFB Map

Luke Air Force Base Map

Directions to Luke Air Force Base

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Transportation

There is no base shuttle. If arriving without a car, your sponsor should be responsible for arranging your pickup.

Driving Directions to Luke Air Force Base

If Driving West on I-10 or from the Airport
  1. Take I-10 West for 14 miles
  2. Take exit 133B for AZ-101 Loop N
  3. Use the right 2 lanes to take exit 7B toward Glendale Ave
  4. Continue on Glendale Ave then turn right onto N Litchfield Rd
If Driving East on I-10
  1. Following I-10 East, take exit 124A for AZ-303 Loop N
  2. Continue onto AZ-303 Loop N/Arizona State Route 303 N for 5 miles
  3. Take exit 110B toward Northern Pkwy
  4. Continue onto Northern Pkwy
  5. Take exit 3 for Litchfield Rd and turn right

Luke AFB Transportation Office

7383 N Litchfield Rd, Bldg 1150 Luke Air Force Base, AZ, 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-6425 or 1 (623) 856-6424

Luke Air Force Base Transportation Office Hours

  • Monday through Friday

    - 0800 - 1500
Entering Luke Air Force Base and Base Amenities

Entering Luke AFB and Base Amenities

If you do not have a valid military ID, you may have to stop at the visitor control centers to gain installation access. Click here for more information on the visitor control centers at Luke AFB.

Check-in Procedures for Incoming Personnel

Check-in at your Unit Personnel Office (UPO) on the first floor of Bldg 1150.

Luke AFB Finance Office

7383 North Litchfield Road Building #1150. Luke Air Force Base, AZ, 85309

Luke AFB Visitors Center

New military personnel checking in should report to the gaining unit in the Personnel Office in Building 1150. In-processing is conducted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 0900. Be sure to bring personnel records, including your medical and dental records, and financial paperwork for reimbursement of travel. If arriving after hours, you can check in at the arrival point at the Fighter Country Inn.

Fighter Country Inn

7012 N Bong Lane, Bldg 660 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-3941

Luke AFB Visitors Center

South Gate Building 879 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-4768

Luke AFB DEERS Office

This office serves all the functions of the pass & ID processing center, DEERS, RAPIDS, and ID card issuing. When checking in for in-processing you can take care of everything here. You can schedule an appointment for DEERS and RAPIDS here. However, walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday 0800-1500, except Wednesday when their hours are 0800-1300.

Luke AFB Pass & ID / DEERS / ID/CAC Card Processing

7383 N Litchfield Rd, Bldg 1150 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-7875 - ID Card Section & 1 (623) 856-7832 (Pass & ID Section)

Luke AFB Pass & ID Processing Appointment Hours

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

    – 0800-1600
  • Wednesday

    - 0800-1300
  • Saturday & Sunday

    - Closed

Luke AFB Gate Hours

Gate hours and status can be found here. Pass and ID Office Phone Number: 1 (623) 449-0865 / 0867
  • South Gate (Main Gate)

    – Open 24/7
  • North Gate - Outbound Only

    - Monday through Friday 0600-0800 Inbound/Outbound & 1445-1700 Outbound Only
  • Lightning Gate

    - 0500-2100

Luke AFB Commissary

Shopping for groceries, home items, clothes, and electronics is easy and convenient with the Exchange and Commissary located right next to each other right on base!

Luke Air Force Base Commissary

7175 N 138th Ave Glendale, AZ 85307

Phone

: 1 (623) 935-3822

Luke AFB Commissary Hours

  • Sunday

    - 0900-1800
  • Monday through Saturday

    - 0900-2000

Luke AFB BX

7071 N 138th Ave, Bldg 1540 Glendale, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 935-2671

Luke AFB Post Exchange Hours

  • Monday through Saturday

    – 0830-1930
  • Sunday

    – 1000-1800
Luke Air Force Base Barber Shops

Luke AFB Barber Shops

Main Exchange Barber Shop

7071 N 138th Ave, Bldg 1540 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 96853

Phone

: 1 (623) 249-6789

Hours

:
  • Monday through Friday

    – 0900-1700
  • Saturday & Sunday

    – 1000-1600

Stylique Salon

7071 N 138th Ave, Bldg 1540 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 96853

Phone

: 1 (623) 533-3895

Hours

:
  • Tuesday through Saturday

    – 0900-1700
  • Sunday and Monday

    – Closed

Luke AFB Post Office

Get your letters and packages delivered where they need to go properly and on time with the help of the Luke AFB Post Office.

Luke AFB Post Office

14032 W Mustang St, Bldg 545 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 96853

Phone

: 1 (800) 275-8777

Hours

:
  • Monday through Friday

    – 0800-1315 & 1430-1600

Luke AFB Finance Office

Financial services and assistance are available to all personnel on the installation.

Hickam Accounting & Finance Office

7383 N Litchfield Rd, Bldg 1150 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-7028

Hours

:
  • Monday through Friday

    - 0830-1500
Luke AFB Legal Office Active duty, dependents, and retirees are eligible for legal assistance in the following areas: notarization, powers of attorney, estate planning, wills, guardianship, divorce, dependent support, adoption, name change, debt, taxation, immigration, citizenship, Service Member’s Civil Relief Act, and Consumer Affairs.

Region Legal Service Office

7383 N Litchfield Rd, 2nd Floor, Bldg 1150 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-6937 (for appointments) or 1 (623) 856-6901

Region Legal Service Office Hours

  • Monday through Wednesday

    – 0830-1630
  • Thursday

    - 1030-1630
  • Friday through Sunday

    - Closed

Luke AFB Library

The base library features special collections, transition assistance programs, online databases, and digital resources as well as children’s story times and book discussions.

Luke AFB Library

7424 N Homer Dr, Bldg 219 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 4856-7191

Hours

:
  • Monday

    - 0930-1930
  • Tuesday through Friday

    - 0930-1730
  • Friday & Saturday

    - 1000-1600
  • Sunday

    - Closed

Luke AFB Hotels

Fighter Country Inn

7012 N Bong Lane, Bldg 660 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-3941 Download MyBaseGuide’s Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby

Hot Tip: Download MyBaseGuide’s Luke Air Force Base Military Relocation Guide for information about hotels nearby.

Where Should I Live Near Luke Air Force Base?

Where Should I Live Near Luke AFB?

If you’re considering living on base, check out the available on-base housing options. Otherwise, read on to find out more about living off base.

Cities Near Luke Air Force Base

Luke AFB is in the city of Glendale and just 30 minutes west of Phoenix. With a population of over a quarter million people in Glendale and Phoenix with more than 1.6 million, there are plenty of places to live, shop, dine, and things to do.

Best Places to Live Near Luke AFB

Glendale

Glendale is a great place to live due to its nice neighborhoods, entertaining and historic districts, and proximity to the base.

Phoenix

Even Phoenix is a very viable option as it is only 22 miles from the base. Look for homes and apartments for rent or sale on AHRN.com

Hot Tip: Look for Luke Air Force Base homes and apartments for rent or sale, and find BAH, PCS, TLA & ETS military housing information at AHRN.com.

Luke AFB Schools

Luke AFB Schools

Luke has no DoD school on base. However, there are dozens of schools in the surrounding areas. Students who live on base will usually attend Dysart Unified School District or Litchfield Elementary School District, depending on their housing area. Avondale Elementary School District is the third option. For more information, contact the School Liaison Officer at the Airman & Family Readiness Center.

Luke AFB School Liaison Officer

Airman & Family Readiness Center

7282 N 137th Ave, Bldg 1113 Luke Air Force Base, AZ 85309

Phone

: 1 (623) 856-6378 Luke Air Force Base Weather

Luke AFB Weather

Being in southern Arizona, the weather is typical of an arid, desert climate. The summers are very hot with temperatures reaching as high as 110 degrees during the day, however, the humidity remains low, which helps with the relative heat index. Nights are cooler but remain in the low 80s.

Winters are cool with lows in the high 40s and highs in the high 60s. Spring temperatures gradually rise from February to May ending the season with lows around 70 and highs around 100. During fall, the temperatures drop quickly from the sweltering summer heat to lows in the high 40s and highs in the mid 60s by November.

Rain is very rare and the days are mostly sunny and clear year round. Winds are usually fairly calm and rarely stronger than 8 miles per hour. Expect dry air and constant sun so you’ll want to stay well hydrated and always use sunscreen and carry a hat.

To find out more in-depth weather information visit our blog Luke Air Force Base Weather: What To Expect When Moving Here.

Things to Do Near Luke AFB

Things to Do Near Luke AFB

Outdoor Activities

Thunderbird Conservation Park is a 1,185-acre park of beautiful desert hiking and climbing just west of the base. You can also explore the Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, home to more than 1,500 Native American petroglyphs of the Hohokam people.

Sports and Concerts

State Farm Stadium is the home of the Arizona Cardinals and hosts many other events like concerts for huge musical acts.

Desert Diamond Arena is an arena that also hosts lacrosse games and major concert events!

Shopping and Entertainment

Located just a few minutes away from the stadium, a great spot for all sorts of diversions is the Westgate Entertainment District. This outdoor complex features shops, dining, theaters, bars, and outdoor entertainment in a beautiful al fresco setting. You can also check out the Glendale Historic District for antique shopping!

Suggested Read:

20 Of the Best Things to Do on Luke Air Force Base Restaurants near Luke Air Force Base

Restaurants Near Luke AFB

Glendale and the surrounding areas have no shortage of great restaurants to try. Here are just the top three recommended by TripAdvisor for the areas around Luke AFB.

1. Ajo Al’s

7458 W Bell Rd Glendale, AZ 85308

Phone

: 1 (623) 334-9899 Southwestern food with dog-friendly outdoor seating! Ajo Al's has a full bar, sizzling fajitas, tacos, and fresh guacamole, which makes this a great choice!

2. Bobby Q

8501 N 27th Ave Phoenix, AZ 85051

Phone

: 1 (602) 995-5982 Everything from pub food, wings, steak, pizza, barbecue, and southwest egg rolls can be in Bobby Q. A great place for a family dinner or a big night out with friends.

3. The Spicery in Our 1985 Home

7141 N 59th Ave Glendale, AZ 85301

Phone

: 1 (623) 937-6534 Located in the historic Catlin Court, this restaurant the Spicery in Our 1985 Home is one of the oldest homes in the area, built in 1895. Enjoy a lunch or brunch in this charming historic setting which is particularly lovely during the winter holidays.

Looking to explore more options? Check out 16 of the Best Luke Air Force Base Restaurants.

Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively on MyBaseGuide.com

Hot Tip: Connect with military-trusted businesses and deals exclusively for Luke Air Force Base at MyBaseGuide.

Explore All the Activities You Can Do at Luke Air Force Base!

Being located in the suburbs of a major US city makes this base a great place to be stationed and raise a family. Doing your research before arriving is the best way to get your feet under you before any move. We hope this guide will help get you and your family settled quickly so you can get out, explore, and enjoy the beautiful desert sunsets!

Suggested reads

: Lackland Air Force Base: In-Depth Welcome Center

Fort Hood Texas: In-Depth Welcome Center

Fort Bliss Texas: In-Depth Welcome Center

Updated by Allison Kirschbaum

 

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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