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-1 6s 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.
Only
2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ
and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other
for your freedom.
Lt.
Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.
USAF
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