F-35 fighter jet from Luke Air Force Base to fly in air shows nationwide

GLENDALE — An F-35 fighter jet assigned to Luke Air Force Base in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale will perform in air shows across the country starting next year.

The jet will make its first appearance as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight program at Luke's air show on April 2 and 3 and then travel to air shows nationwide.

The heritage flight program teams up current Air Force fighters with planes from the World War II, Korea and Vietnam eras as a way to highlight the history on U.S. air power. The plane will be piloted by Maj. William Andreotta and will first participate in heritage flight training at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson early next year.

Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus commands Luke's 56th Fighter Wing and said Wednesday that the flights will allow Americans to learn more about the new fighter and see how air power has evolved.