--- title: "5 reasons why Luke Skywalker was operator AF" date: "2018-03-31" modified: "2020-10-22" authors: - name: "Dave Grove" job_title: "Marine Corps and Army National Guard Veteran, Contributor" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/dave-grove.md" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/5-reasons-why-luke-skywalker-was-operator-af/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Movies and TV" tags: - "Entertainment" - "Movies" --- # 5 reasons why Luke Skywalker was operator AF ![luke skywalker return of the jedi]() *(LucasFilm)* From convincing Obi-Wan to re-enlist after 21 years of retirement to facing down Darth Vader, the most feared man in the galaxy, Luke Skywalker makes one hell of a rebel. But if you look at all of his achievements, he also looks like one badass operator. #### Related: 8 reasons Marines hate on the Navy Don't believe us? Check out these 5 ways Luke Skywalker is operator AF. ### 5. He lost a limb in combat and kept fighting. Some might lose a limb and just get out, but not Luke Skywalker — he gets a new hand and carries on with the plan of the day. ![luke skywalker hand]() *Not everybody just gets a new hand put on and goes about their business. (20th Century Studios)* ### 4. Luke completed a black ops mission before he even joined. Before he even signed that dotted line, Luke infiltrated the Death Star, a major enemy base, disguised as one of them. Which brings me to my next point... ![luke skywalker stormtrooper]() *Even has proper trigger discipline. (20th Century Studios)* ### 3. He saved one of the most important leaders of the rebellion. Only an operator could infiltrate an enemy base and manage to save the highest-profile captive — a rebel general. ![luke skywalker han leia]() *Oh yeah, Han Solo was there, too. (20th Century Studios)* ### 2. He could pilot an X-Wing without any training. Luke may have had experience flying a T-16 Skyhopper, but he really had no proper training to fly an X-Wing. Despite that, he hops in the cockpit and flies a combat mission anyway. ![luke skywalker]() *When you haven't been properly trained, but you hope everything works out. (20th Century Studios)* #### Also Read: 5 reasons why Luke Skywalker was the perfect boot ### 1. Luke destroyed the enemy's weapon of mass destruction with two shots. *Without* his targeting computer. Not only was he not trained to pilot an X-Wing, but he takes out the enemy's most prized accomplishment, the Death Star, with two shots. ![luke skywalker death star]() That's one satisfying explosion. (Image from 20th Century Fox's *Star Wars*) What are some other things Luke Skywalker has done that would make him a certified bad ass? ## Author Dave has been writing for We Are the Mighty since 2018, returning from a near seven-year hiatus in 2026. He's served a combined total of nine years between the Marine Corps and the Army National Guard. Despite his love for eating crayons, he sometimes uses them to write stuff instead. ## More - [This is what some of your fave sci-fi fighters would look like assigned to the US military]() - [The complete guide to Luke Air Force Base]() - [7 reasons why Obi-wan Kenobi was basically Ulysses S. Grant]() - [5 of the top reasons why Arthur Morgan is operator AF]() - [We made the best fictional infantry squad ever]() - [‘Independence Day:’ Why the ’90s blockbuster still gets our patriotic blood pumping]() - [6 reasons being a Star Wars rebel soldier sucks]() - [The 32 best military movie quotes of all time]()