A wake up call from Luke Air Force Base (Phoenix, Az). A very good READ!

A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB (Phoenix) 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 Air Force Base, Arizona


Info like this really chaffs me, as I am a 17 yr vet of the USAF and see these kind of letter in the papers here in Vegas all the time during "Red Flag" exercises. I also spent time on the Nellis AFB Honor Guard and heard all the negative comments about us wasting money showing respect to those that served to preserve the freedom for people to think how they want to and have the freedom to express it as well. But I bet those people that say these things have never served in any branch of the military. Three cheers for this Lt Col for his response!

Horah! Horah! Horah!

Hell yes! I love when these people who !!!!! about this stuff get a very respectful explanation right back at em. We get these stupid letters here up at Ellsworth all the time. I will admit that the B-1 is a VERY loud jet, but they dont do fly-bys for their own personal pleasure. My favorate is when some idiot spouse on base writes and complains about a jet flying on a Sunday morning or something like that. Our base commander writes in his weekly column, and responds with stuff like, that is the sound of freedom, maybe you should have a talk with your husband sometime about the benefits you enjoy because of his and his AF brothers because of these missions that prepare them to help defend "YOUR" freedom, then go back to enjoying your free home with free electric, water, gas and other utilities. My commander has a great attitude and always blasts back at the people who just complain to complain.

There are so many people who just look for things to complain about.

The guy who wrote sounds alot like I guy I work with...just constantly has a hair across his but for one reason or another...

I live sorta close to a military base. Not close enough to hear regular gun fire, but I am close enough that when they bring out the big toys to practice with, we notice it. There have been times when my windows have rattled all night due to the guys practicing. Same with all my neighbors. We also have days when jets, helicoptors, or planes are constantly flying overhead. Some of those guys fly pretty darn low too.

Not a single person in my neighborhood complains. We all know exactly who is going to be called into duty if something bad happens. I, for one, feel better knowing that these men and women have the practice and know what they are doing just in case they are needed.

Besides... we all know the base is there. The base has been there longer then most of the houses in my neighborhood. If people think they are going to move in, and patterns will be changed for them, they are idiots.