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
The sound of freedom.
God bless each one who has served this great country and God bless America.
Those are really old F16s
Some local lout called the base early one morning to complain that some fighter planes had just flown over his house and waked him up.
The young Duty Officer who answered the phone asked him, "Were they ours?"
Of course," replied the sore head.
Thank God!!" sighed the Officer -- and hung up on him.
It was in the Arizona Republic about a year ago.
Aren’t those old MIGs?
They’re either F-102s or F-106s. I can’t tell which from the angle.
I don’t think those are F16s on the snopes site.
My husband was submariner stationed at Norfolk, VA. The locals HATED the military base, the sailors, the congestion, the traffic... they never stopped complaining.
My husband always responded by saying, “If they don’t want the base here, how would they like having it moved? Their economy would plummet and where would the thousands of shipyard workers find employment?”
I remember growing up in the Central Valley in California during the 60’s and 70’s near a SAC AFB. Normally the B-52’s(not the band) would take off away from our house. When the winds would shift due to inclement weather they would take off right over our house. One after another, sometimes ten in a row. The whole house would shake. I loved it.
She reports for duty with the Alabama Air National Guard in a couple of weeks to continue her AF career -- shooting for 20 or 30.
And Grandpa is somewhat proud of that sprout, needless to say.
Neither do I. I was joking.
they build that close because property is cheaper. property close to highways, military bases, train tracks, cemetaries, airports, gun ranges, due to noise levels, is going to be cheaper. then the people later realise if they get rid of the what caused their property to originally be cheaper, their homes will be worth more.
Reminds me of this lame-ass’s letter from yesterday’s Port Townsend Leader:
Letter: Navy gunshot noises frightening
Editor, Leader:
I’m surprised. We’ve made a big deal about having a security company shooting off guns in our environs, but we didn’t say a word about the Navy recently conducting menacingly loud gunshot noises in our beautiful bay. What’s the deal?
I’m a military brat, so military exercises are not new to me. The sounds of the Navy’s “pretend” weapons were brutal, frightening. Was all this assault on our environment really necessary? Hardly a tourist incentive to visit us. Hardly something we want our children exposed to.
First of all, play your little military games somewhere else. Secondly, if you have to do them on beautiful Port Townsend Bay, I have a suggestion: Remember when we were kids or when we read the comics and the pretend sounds we made? Bam-bam, rat-a-tat-tat-tat, ka-ching, ka-pow, bang-bang-bang. Please utilize all and any of these sounds via your VHF radios while playing your games, and leave the rest of us innocent, peace-loving gentle people out of it.
PENNY JENSEN
Port Townsend
(Editor’s Note: The U.S. Coast Guard conducted port security training exercises July 13-14 at Naval Magazine Indian Island. These included the firing of blank ammunition in 7.62mm and .50 caliber machine guns.)
He does - see the Snopes links in theis thread. He's a Vietnam vet who publicly admitted he was in error when the circumstances were explained to him. Unlike the usual Leftist complainer, who would have simply refused to acknowledge the explanation.
I knew that. Was trying to figure out what they are though. Look like mirages or something european.
Or maybe I should be nasty and say move to San Francisco, there you will not be disturbed...unless you drop your car keys, and have to kick them all the way to Palo Alto before bending over to pick them up.
5.56mm
Next time, don’t be stupid enough to build next to an Air Force base.
Excellent!!! I am so made at these idiots who complain about the noise at a base when it was there first. I would definitely understand more if the base just popped up and these folks had their homes their first, but these bases have been here for years and years. Virginia Beach is the WORST!!! The base has been their forever practically, but these stupid rich folks (wish I could use a better word) who built right next to the base yell and scream all the time. The base is forced to change their flying times and all sorts of things. I wish the city would tell them to got to heck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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