Luke Field/Air Force Base and 56th Fighter Wing Heritage Pamphlet ...

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27 March 1999 Jet losses caused renewed calls for establishment of 17,000 acre
agricultural zone around base to protect it from encroachment.
27 April 1999 Wing leadership addressed media after sixth jet loss in six
months and noted four of losses due to engine problems.
30 April 1999 Wing posted 62.6 MC rate, lowest F-16 MC rate ever for a Luke
unit. Driving factors were engines and grounding of fleet for
safety inspections.
17 May 1999 HB 2579 creating agricultural district around Luke signed into
law but not funded.
31 May 1999 It was reported US Senator John McCain withdrew his
amendment designed to withdraw range from public use from
Military Funding Bill because of pressure by environmentalists
and Indians.
11 June 1999 Augmentor separation problem that caused two jet losses
resolved. Fix included performing multiple technical orders on
augmentors for cracks in welds. Permanent fix was installing
seamless augmentors in engines.
26 June 1999 Environmentalist group sued USAF and other federal agencies
charging their actions not ensuring recovery of endangered
Sonoran pronghorn antelope on range.
26 June 1999 Wing submitted LEIS to Congress for renewal of range
withdrawal.
30 June 1999 Blade tip curling that caused loss of jet resolved. Fix included
more inspections and installing 4,000 cycle low pressure turbines
with improved materials not prone to curling. New turbines had
faulty blade outer air seals (BOAS). Fix was installing new
BOAS.
30 June 1999 Series of F-16 losses prompted President Bill Clinton, US
Senator John McCain, and acting USAF Secretary F. Whitten
Peters to call for Congress to allocate more funds for engines and
spare parts.
1 July 1999 Phoenix/Surprise dispute over 640 acres in base's fly zone
resolved by land swap. Surprise traded Phoenix 926 acres north
of base which Phoenix planned to keep as agricultural zoning.
Phoenix gave Surprise 640-acre parcel, but with deed restrictions
to ensure compatible development with base's operations.
20 September 1999 Wing lost seventh jet in 11 months. Loss not traced to recent
trends as was due to electrical problems. Loss of seven jets
extraordinary in modern times, but paled when compared to
1940s when Luke had over 400 crashes in a year. Worst period
was September 1943 when had 58 major accidents.