Jay
Seems like there was a subdivision problem or Luke was encroaching on
something? Been so long ago.
When Korea started and after, they had to cut a path through the
airway going west from Phoenix to let the birds get to the gunnery
ranges down toward Yuma (think the ranges are now named for
Goldwater?). Remember some finger pointing between FAA and USAF before
things were settled.
Final agreement was (as I recall) they cut a low altitude gate (below
4000 ft) across the airway and the jets had to stay low going out and
let down and come back in at low altitude to get home.
Willie was out in the boon docks at that time so that was probably why
it was first choice to keep open unless it was a political decision
which we didn't know about.
I keep reading about things moving into Willie and flying activities
there now. Was sorry to see the USAF give it up

(
Big John
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On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 22:42:05 -0700, "Jay Beckman"
wrote:
"Big John" wrote in message
.. .
Dudley
Names don't strike a bell. We, WADF, didn't have much contact with
East Coast, EADF.
My last F-89J flying was as Air Force Advisor to the Maine Air Guard.
With my MB-1 back ground helped them go Nuc (first Guard Sq to do so).
In the 'J' with the MB-1, I developed the head on attack and sold it
to ADC. Gave the bird a Pk of over 95%. Only bird to do head on's in
USAF as far as I know.
Enough war stories. I'm going to quit taking up band width and go to
bed.
Big John
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John,
Fascinating thread...
I live in the Phoenix area (since late 1997) and had never heard of Luke
ever being closed.
Ironic that Luke prospers while Williams got the axe.
FWIW, they've just opened a great new GA terminal at Williams Gateway and
businesses continue to move into all the former AF facilities. The future
seems bright for "Willie" as a public airport.
Wonder why Luke and Williams' fortunes swung in opposite directions...?
Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
AZ Cloudbusters
Chandler, AZ