---
title: "5 reasons why Luke Skywalker was operator AF"
description: "While other people are going into combat with pistols and rifles, Luke Skywalker will casually grab a sword and literally cut down enemies."
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/"
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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318748/origin.jpg>)
*(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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318749/origin.jpg>)
*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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318750/origin.png>)
*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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318751/origin.jpg>)
*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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318752/origin.jpg>)
*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](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17318753/origin.jpg>)

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.