4 replies to this topic

[RiverPearl]

He said it alot nicer than I would have...


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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 AM, 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' 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 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

[Mitch0129]

Yep, he said a WHOLE LOT NICER than I would have.

Thank you, Col. Rosensteel!

Edited by Mitch0129, 07 February 2009 - 03:00 PM.

[Mitch0129]

Please check out the following link. As you can guess, the original letter writer was eating a lot of crow and seemed to be very humilated. Since he says he is a Vietnam vet, he should have known better.

Luke AFB Fly-By

Edited by Mitch0129, 07 February 2009 - 03:12 PM.

[uwfan]

Thanks for teaching me something new. I wouldn't have even thought about the formation or a fly by, I would have just considered it part of some training exercise. If I see that formation in the future I'll remember to say a prayer for the families and be grateful for the sacrifice. Thanks to all who have served and are serving now.

[Mitch0129]

Thanks for teaching me something new. I wouldn't have even thought about the formation or a fly by, I would have just considered it part of some training exercise. If I see that formation in the future I'll remember to say a prayer for the families and be grateful for the sacrifice. Thanks to all who have served and are serving now.

Well, that formation that he would have seen is the same as most fighter jets fly. In this case, they fly the formation until they are approaching the gravesite then one of them will break off as they fly over. I have seen it in person myself and it is an awesome and moving sight.

Now that the guy who complained has had to eat a healthy dose of crow, maybe he will now think before he pops off again and writes such a sarcastic letter. The comments about "Tom Cruise-wannabes" and impressing Mervin's cashiers were way out of line. Also the residents of that area need to remember that Luke Air Force Base has been there since before World War II, long before many of them were even born.