Luke graduates first F-35A initial qualification course Posted on August 14, 2017August 14, 2017 by alert5 The first F-35A initial qualification course pilots graduated on Aug. 5 at Luke Air Force Base. Taught by the 61st Fighter Squadron, each student flew at least 48 sorties totaling 77 hours over a period of eight months. U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Pedro Mota