Luke AFB

[XCR1250]

 

Luke AFB is west 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 Mervyn's early bird
special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The
response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On
June 15, at precisely 9:12  a.m.
, a 
perfectly timed four-ship fly by 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 fly by, 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 fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives 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.

 

Lt.  Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

[Zambroski]