<Li> US Navy, Navy Operational Support Command (NOSC) Phoenix </Li> <P> The public has been more accommodating to the military operations at Luke Air Force base compared to other Arizona installations like the Davis - Monthan Air Force Base, according to a 2015 study . This is due to a buffer of public land around it, that helps against encroachment and land use conflicts . Also, the private sector in Glendale has been helping to maintain the buffer of public land, and with it the Arizona defense economy . This is because if encroachment impacts a site's mission, it loses value for the military operation, and base closure is more likely to occur . </P> <P> Luke Air Force Base was named after Second Lieutenant Frank Luke (1897--1918). Lt Luke is a posthumous Medal of Honor recipient and the number two United States ace in World War I . </P> <P> Born in Phoenix in 1897, the "Arizona Balloon Buster" scored 18 aerial victories during World War I (14 of these German observation balloons) in the skies over France . Lieutenant Luke was shot down at Murvaux between Verdun and Stenay, France, on 29 Sep 1918, after he had destroyed three enemy balloons . Surviving the crash of his Spad, Lieutenant Luke drew two pistols and fired on German soldiers, killing several of them before he was killed . </P>

Who is luke air force base named after