Posted on 08/02/2007 10:31:53 AM PDT by CHEE
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 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 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. Scott Pleus CO 63rd Fighter Squadron Luke AFB
I got this same email about two weeks ago. It’s been making the rounds. I have no idea if it’s authentic, but it has the ring of truth.
I think this a story from a year or so ago...
How appropriate.
bttt
My folks live in the NW valley, and say that people up around Luke are always complaining about the noise. To which we reply: Next time, don’t be stupid enough to build next to an Air Force base.
Welcome to 2006
I received the same story in an email a couple of weeks ago and I forwarded it to some friends of mine. Posted below is one of the responses that my friend Rebecca Evans sent in response to the offended shopper.
As a Gulf War Navy spouse, daughter of a Vietnam vet, and Granddaughter of a WWII Vet, I am proud to be an American citizen and to this day at 34 years old I still run outside to see the military jets fly over when I hear them coming and hope they can see me waving in honor of them. God bless every one of them and keep them safe. I am quite sure that person got just the response they deserved and then some. I will be passing this along. Thank you. Mrs. Rebecca Evans
Good one!
I just looked for the authenticity. It’s true...an oldie but goodie!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
It’s true. Here’s the story with an additional letter from the USAF, as well as an apology from the writer of the original letter.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/wakeup.asp
Here:
Letter to the editor of the Arizona Central
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1455792/posts
and here
Luke Air Force Base Lt. Col. answers local malcontent
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1441214/posts
and here
A wake-up call from Luke’s jets
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1438755/posts
Bookmark
Reminds me of the story of the U.S. Air Base in England. The commanding officer was nominally an RAF officer. He was responding to a local who complained about the noise caused by the U.S. aircraft operating at all hours. The RAF commander’s response began:
“Seeing as you are not reading this letter in German...”
Hee-Hee......
great minds think alike.....seconds apart ;)
From the DOD Website
The Department of Defense announced today the deaths of four airmen who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. The airmen died May 30 in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in eastern Diyala province. They are:
Maj. William Downs, 40, of Winchester, Va., assigned to the 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Capt. Jeremy Fresques, 26, of Clarkdale, Ariz., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Capt. Derek Argel, 28, of Lompoc, Calif., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, of Spanaway, Wash., assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.
For further information related to this release, please contact the Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office at (850) 884-5515.
Ping!
If that resident had any sense he’s be glad those are our planes flying over his house.
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