Luke AFB Wake up Call

heylinder · Posted: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 21:37:25 Post Subject: Luke AFB Wake up Call

Someone sent this to me in an email. Probably not true .... but in general could be Smile

Luke AFB is southwest of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back.

Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall. When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:

'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base':

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.'

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' (Letters, Thursday):

On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show?' The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

acruxksa · Posted: Sat, 02 Aug 2008 23:22:58 Post Subject:

That's awesome. We've had F15's and now F22's flying over the north end of our city for decades and I've never heard anyone complain. It's the sound of freedom, gotta luv it.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 12:07:49 Post Subject:

Nice response! Grin

borschtBomber[SS] · Posted: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:19:03 Post Subject:

If it is true, then good for him and a great response.

BeerCheeze · Posted: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:31:01 Post Subject:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp

OORHAY!

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sun, 03 Aug 2008 21:39:59 Post Subject:

Haha! People called the complainer at home... I wonder how friendly they were to that turd. Laughing

Charlie · Posted: Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:07:43 Post Subject:

People should learn to put their mind in gear before putting their mouth in motion...

misty · Posted: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:37:51 Post Subject:

Yes, people should learn to think before they speak - or write, as is the case here. However, while we are all too eager to jump on the letter writer, if we spent a few more minutes reading up on the snopes site we would see a heartfelt apology from that very person. The person who is also a Vietnam Veteran! After all those guys went through on their return from Vietnam, I certainly am not going to crap on him for a mistake he's made.

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:49:37 Post Subject:

To me the apology was nice, but doesn't excuse him. At first I pictured the writer being some snobby soccer mom who thinks she is the center of the universe. To find out it was a man with military experience that should know the military doesn't buzz the mall for kicks was surprising. Probably just needs more fiber.

edvallie · Posted: Thu, 07 Aug 2008 13:54:46 Post Subject:

Try living right next to the campus of one of the foremost aviation school in the nation. I get a too-low flying plane over my apartment several times a week :-)